Palo Mayombe is a complex evolution of Bakongo shamanism with many types of entities and mystical energies. Among these various entities and energies are what is commonly called the Seven African Powers. These beings are considered specifically mighty, even among the others. The word used for these beings is Mpungu because they are gods in their own right, not just spirits. Though there are more gods and some of them do have roles in the practice, they are not as widely recognized and understood as these seven.
Lucero is an enigmatic mpungu because he is viewed as a primary god, as a messenger to the others and even has several other roles. Some would describe Lucero as a child-like god and others would describe him as a full-grown man of short stature. All would describe him as one of the most vital energies necessary for practicing Palo Mayombe. He loves the colors of red and black and his energies can be commonly found wherever there are crossroads.
Chola Nguengue or Mama Chola is a highly misunderstood and underestimated god in Palo Mayombe. She is known for her severe outbursts when angered, but her cool and calm demeanor when respected. This is the main cause of the confusion surrounding her, the ease of which her mood can be changed and the severity of which her anger entails. She is depicted as being a beautiful warrior woman in yellow, and her energies can be found in all aspects of fresh water. These energies are amplified in flowing bodies of fresh water, like rivers.
Sarabanda or Zarabanda is one of the two mighty gods that are considered the primary gods in Nkisi Malongo or more informally named Palo. He is the primary god among all in Palo Briyumba and Palo Kimbisa. A relentless warrior, fierce guardian and shaman of excellence. His temperament can be described as a hot head, with everything in his arsenal to backup his attitude. He loves the color green and his energies can be found in wooded areas like forests or jungles and at railroads.
Kalunga or Madre Agua is a truly powerful force that seems to be overlooked. It is said that when practicing members of Palo reach the end of their journey among the living, they begin their journey among the dead by crossing Kalunga’s waters. She is the female embodiment of wisdom, being that she is the one that cools down even the hottest of hot heads. Widely regarded as the mother of the world because all salt water is her domain, every sea and ocean. Her favorite color is blue and her energies can be found at the beach and any body of salt water.
Nzazi or Siete Rayos is the other of two mighty gods widely accepted as the primary gods of Palo. He is the primary god of Palo Mayombe. The branch itself of Mayombe, not the entire religion of Palo. An intellectual and fierce warrior, he can summon his lightning and reign down from above, scorching the earth. His wrath knows no end and it is considered a fatal mistake to anger this god. Although he has a reputation for his anger, his love for his devotees is massive and something to be spoken of. His color is red and his energies can be found at the top of a palm tree, but it is more pronounced at the royal palm tree.
Mariwanga or Centella Ndoki is one of the most feared and respected beings in all of Palo due to her truly morbid disposition. She is the literal grim reaper in a dress and she does acknowledge that. Her winds are considered dangerous even to entire cities/states and she is the guardian of the afterlife. As terrifying as she seems, she is commonly one of the calmest gods. Anger her and your family will find out why even old heads in these traditions fear her name. Her favorite color is a burnt red or maroon but she does identify by 9 colors, excluding black. Her energies can be found at the cemetery, morgue or anywhere death is abundant.
Kengue or Tiembla Tierra is the final member of the Seven African Powers. He is the embodiment of wisdom in all of its forms and is widely regarded as the honorable one. He is a warrior by excellence, having the magical ability to overcome all obstacles with wisdom and intellect. He has an immense amount of patience and emotional intelligence, making him one of the hardest gods to actually anger, but when he is angered the other gods do not take interfering in his punishments lightly. His color is white, which is symbolic of his purity and wisdom. His energies can be found at hospitals and churches or temples.
While our about section gives you some brief insight into who we are and what our beliefs are, this is a largely oral Traditional Religion and learning more means becoming more involved.