A Bit of History
In the 1500's and 1600's slave trade brought Africans from the Central African region ( today's Congo) to Cuba, Brazil, Haiti and the Americas. The 1700's and 1800's followed bringing Africans from the East Coastal region. Religious and biological families were intentionally separated from each other in order to attempt to control these enslaved people and to try to break their spirit and prevent the practice of their religions.
Priest from many different areas were joined in foreign "cells" in which they had to cooperate to keep the traditions alive. Through song, rhythm, orally taught traditions and the determination of their hearts, these traditions survived and flourished to this day.
Many now believe that the Ocean crossing known as the slave trade was in fact a tremendous cultural sacrifice designed to spread these religious traditions around the world.
The people of the Congo brought Palo Mayombe / Palo Monte to Cuba and then to the Americas. The Yoruba people in Cuba became the Lucumi and carried the Lucumi tradition (Santeria) to the Americas.
It is common for Priest and practitioners to follow either one or both separate yet complimentary traditions: Lucumi / Santeria and Palo Mayombe Through necessity each tradition helped the other to survive and each compliments the other in the focus of it's work. Certain houses practice only one of the traditions. Those houses would often have an exchange or relationship with a house of the other tradition .
There are many other related diaspora traditions equally alive and beneficent to their practitioners.
As this household is both Ile (house of Santeria) and Munanso ( house of Palo), these will be discussed here. There are abundant sources for exploration of related traditions, as well as on the specific traditions related sites from house practicing those.
As Santeria deals with one's personal ancestors and the Oricha which guard over all members of the religion, Palo Mayombe deals with spirits of the dead and the elemental forces and deities pertaining to each aspect of nature.
Many have attempted to compare and contrast names and descriptions of Oricha and Nkisi from each religion. Here, it will suffice to say that there are always similarities as the entirety or the Universe can only be split up into so many parts in any language.
This household honors and practices both traditions: Santeria, Rama Pimienta and Palo Mayombe, Regla Kimbisa (SCBV) in separate distinct and complementary ways as the destiny and path of each of us determines the steps we need to take and how we need to take them.
Sometimes in a registros with Eleggua (16 shells) the client is referred to exploration of their potential work in Palo Mayombe. There may be necessary cleanings specific to the muertos (the dead of the Munanso) or certain helpful instructions that are addressed by working with this tradition.
Sometimes, one comes inquiring about Palo Mayombe and through a reading with the dead, is referred to the Santos for necessary work.
No matter where one begins, one always arrives at the place of their destiny if willing and open to direction.
The Munanso of Palo Mayombe Regla Kimbisa Mundaka Nsasi Siete Rayos Ndoki and its Priests and initiates/assistants are also available for consultation and tratjajos.
