Palo Helper: The Secret Words of Palo

The Secret Words of Palo

Palo is a disputed religion or magical system. Initiates disagree on it. The Paleros say you should not have a dictionary of Palo. But I don't believe in this. Here are the secret words of Palo used in real sentences I found on the internet. This is a long list. Use your browser (command-F) to find words on this page.

----- A -----

Abakua Secret Society:

"Andres Facundo Cristo de los Dolores Petit alias Andres Kimbisa or Andres Kongo, Ascended Master and Spiritual Guide of the Kimbisa Order. Isue of the Bakoko Potency in the Abakua Secret Society, Nganga Nkisa, Olorisha, Freemason and Franciscan Tertiary, He was the first initiator of white people into the Abakua Secret Society and into the Rule of Palo Monte. Approved by the Roman Catholic Pope Pius IX* in the year 1863, Petit's Fraternal Order, the Kimbisa Rule of the Saint Christ of the Good Journey, is today one of the most important branches of the Congo Faiths in Cuba, the New World and Europe. His Order and Rule is based upon a syncretism between the Mysteries of the various Kongos Religions, Lukumis, Espiritistas and Roman Catholics. Andres Petit founded a Religion, the first expression of Cuba to the social, political and religious mixture of the Diaspora. He was the preserver of the african traditions in Cuba against persecutions, and He integrated white men into the cults of the slaves, so His work has acquired a great and fundamental importance for the modern situation of the afro-cuban society and neo-african spirituality."

"In the secret society of Abakua, mostly unmarried men emphasize the values of virility, bravery, and masculine pride. Believing that neither women nor gay and/or transgendered males can possess these values, they are prohibited from being initiated into Abakua. The slightest sign of effeminacy, or even the suspicion that a person is homosexual is enough to deny him membership or prompt his expulsion. However, this prohibition does not mean that an abakua cannot have contact with a homosexual, always provided that the abakua acts as a 'male' or active partner. It is said that there was a famous abakua, much respected by his hierarchy who died of old age without ever having been known to have had sex with women, while the contrary was true with respect to men."

abanico / fan: nfu

abey: abanke

abrir / open: wuanka, duilando

abrojo: nguingo, nguino

abuelo / grandfather: nkai, nkuku

acacia: topia

aceite / oil: masi maki

actividad / activity: kinyangla

adelante / come foreward: yalanga ngui

adivinar / divination: vititi menso (con espejo magico), vititi nkobo(s) (con caracoles)

adivino / diviner: kusambulero, ngango ngombo, vititi sambidilango (vista del conocimiento)

adorno : butan dumba, mona

africa / Afica: wankila

agua / water: mansa, manso, masa, mesi, ymasa

agua coco / coco milk: mansa kanputo, masa kanputo

agua del mar / ocean water: kalunga, galunga, mansa kalunga, masa kalunga

agua del rio / river water: mansa cholan, masa cholan

aguardiente / rum / palm wine: malafo, mansa ngangulero

aire / air: nkili, kunanfinda

aji / pepper / bell pepper: fotila

ajo / garlic: diamputo, niasa

alamo: machuso, mechuso

albahaca / basil / sweet basil- medalo, guanguao

alcohol / alcohol: malafo mbinga, mabinga

algodon / cotton: duambo

almendra / almond: eguinse

alta / high: simane, sambi, sambia, nsambi, nsambia

altar / alter: brandiku sambi, brandiku nsambi

amado / a loved one: ngua

amar / to love: ngolele

amanecer / to waken: dikolombo dikuama

amarillo / yellow: lola, moamba

amarrar / to tie: kuta, nkuta

amiga / female friend: nkundi, yeye

amigo / male friend: wankasi

amigos / friends: bakundi

amuleto / amulet: macuto, makuto

ancestro / ancestor: bakula

antepasado / deceased: bakula

aqui / here: munankuto, munankutu

arana / spider: masu

arbol / tree: bukua, musi, yaiti

arena / sand: miseke

aretes / ear rings: ngungu

arodillar / kneel: fukama

arroz / rice: eloso, loso, yaloso

avispa / bee or wasp: supiwanpungo

ayudar / to help or assist: kawuanko

azogue / mercury: fendingonde

Azogue:

"Many religions practiced by individuals of Hispanic and Caribbean descent include use of metallic mercury, often referred to as "azogue." These include but are not limited to Santeria (a Cuban-based religion), Voodoo (Haitian), Palo Mayombe (Caribbean), and Espiritismo (Puerto Rican). Practitioners of these religions often recommend that mercury be sprinkled in dwellings or automobiles, or mixed with oil, wine, or perfume in open containers. Mercury is also vaporized in devotional candles, creating a substantially more troubling public health problem, as inhaled vapor is capable of causing more damage than exposure to the liquid form. Of ritual experts consulted by public health officials, 29% recommended mercury be sprinkled in the home, 2% that it be sprinkled in cars, and 2% that it be ingested. Mercury is often sold in stores called botanicas located in areas with large Hispanic and Caribbean populations. A 1996 survey of New York City botanicas found 35 such stores selling an average of 150 9 g units per day, amounting to sales of greater than 420 kg yearly. A 1997 study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 44% of New Yorkers of Caribbean descent used mercury "in their homes, cars, or carried on their person." 27% of New Yorkers of Hispanic descent reported the same. Based on a 1995 analysis of botanicas, officials calculate that as many as 13,800 homes in New York City alone may be contaminated with mercury every year."

azul / blue: bundi

----- B -----

babosa / snail: yerebita, soyanga

bailar / to dance: kina kuame

baile / dance festival: kizumba

Bakisi (Bakisa):

"The nkisi for which Minkisi, Bakisi, Nkondi objects were formulated and brought to existence in Africa."

"Lemba comes from lembikisa, which means 'to calm."

Bakoko Potency:

"Andres Facundo Cristo de los Dolores Petit alias Andres Kimbisa or Andres Kongo, Ascended Master and Spiritual Guide of the Kimbisa Order. Isue of the Bakoko Potency in the Abakua Secret Society, Nganga Nkisa, Olorisha, Freemason and Franciscan Tertiary, He was the first initiator of white people into the Abakua Secret Society and into the Rule of Palo Monte. Approved by the Roman Catholic Pope Pius IX* in the year 1863, Petit's Fraternal Order, the Kimbisa Rule of the Saint Christ of the Good Journey, is today one of the most important branches of the Congo Faiths in Cuba, the New World and Europe. His Order and Rule is based upon a syncretism between the Mysteries of the various Kongos Religions, Lukumis, Espiritistas and Roman Catholics. Andres Petit founded a Religion, the first expression of Cuba to the social, political and religious mixture of the Diaspora. He was the preserver of the african traditions in Cuba against persecutions, and He integrated white men into the cults of the slaves, so His work has acquired a great and fundamental importance for the modern situation of the afro-cuban society and neo-african spirituality."

Bakulu: Ancestor spirits

"Bewteen the various Nfuiris we have the Bakulus, the ancestors spirits of a person and also the Ndundus, or wraths, wandering souls and the Nkuyos, wandering and powerful spirits often of evil nature."

ballena / whale: lauriako

bandera / flag: dimbre, kanda, lelensuata

banarse / to bathe: munia

bano / bath: sala

barco / boat: kumbe, nkumbe

barriga / stomach: malusa, kibumo

bastante / plenty: mbongo

baston / walking cane: tongo

basura / trash: nsasa, ntiti

bata / dress: matutu

bautizo / baptism: botika, gangango

beber / to drink: mu

bebida / drink / liquor: chamba, malafo

bendicion / blessing: dingansua

bichito (s) / small bug: bitilengo, (nfiman)

bicho (s) / bug: munfueira, (muninfueise)

bien / well / be well: kiambote

bigotes / beard: sanso, nsanso

blanco / white: mundele

boca / mouth: nua, nia mua, munan nua, moa, nako

bolsillo / pocket: kuto, nkuto, munankuto

bonita / pretty: mlombe, mbuta

bota / throw away: lusango

botar / to throw: yosa

botella / bottle: fumbo, buate

brazo / arm: lembo batolembo

Brillumba, Briyumba:

"The term Brillumba is derived from the Kongolese word "krillumba" that means "skull". The Brillumba Rule uses bones in his fundamentos. Some Paleros believes that more than a "Regla" itself, Brillumba, is a tecnique, a manner to prepare ngangas."

brocha / brush: sama

bruja / witch / sorceress: guenge, nguenge

brujeria / witchcraft: kindamba, mayombe, mumbanda

brujo / wizard / sorcerer: tata nganga, tata nkisi, tata ndoki, tata mayombe, nbandoki, ndongo, ngangulero

Brujo:

"A Tata/Yaya is a Brujo, a Sorcerer/Sorceress who works/grows with the help of the Spirits, but within certain limits because he's not in possession of this Religion's most Central and Sacred Item: the Nganga. El Taita/Yaya Nkisi no tiene Prenda."

"brujo / wizard / sorcerer: tata nganga, tata nkisi, tata ndoki, tata mayombe, nbandoki, ndongo, ngangulero"

bruto / dummy: matutu

bueno / well: bundu, lulendo, mbote

burro / donkey: kombo bongala

----- C -----

caballero / gentleman: ndo, pana

caballito del diablo / horse (mount) of devil: nkombo akino, nsusu muteka, abalan pemba, kombo iata iabuiri

caballo / horse: batu, nialo, nialu, fato, nfato, nkato

caballo medium / spiritual medium: ngango ngombo, nganga ngombo

cabeza / head: brukoko, ntu, mulunda

cabildo / home: munanso

cafe / cuban coffee: kundia, kasa, kualikilo

calabaza / squash: malampe, nale, makuke, maluke

caldero / pot: kiso, nkiso, muluguanga

calentura / hot cold flash: fuka, mfuka

caliente / hot: banso

calor / very warm: banso, muyodo

callar / quiet: guisa

calle / street: nsila, sila

callese / be quiet: kawako matoko

cama / bed: tanda, lukuame, mfuembe

camaron / shrimp: brinda, nbrinda

caminar / to walk: kiamene, kuenda, kiako

camino / road: kuenda, kuendan, nsila

campana / bell: ngongo

campo / country-farm: kunayonda, kunayanda

campo / country-woods: nseke. mumuseke, miseke

canasta / basket: kawuandi

candado / lock: matui, kumba

candela / fire: bansa, bansua, nbansua, mboso, ntuya, baso, mbaso

canela / cinnamon: mokoko wando

cantar / sing: nfindan

canto / song: nfinda, mambo

cana / cane: mikanga, misanga, muengue, marioka

cana de azucar / sugar cane: madiadia, musenga

cana brava / bamboo: matombe

canon / canon: matende

cara / face: bundi, itama

caracol / shell: nkobo, bonantoto, simbu

carbon / charcaol: etia

carcel / jail (ed): Nso gando, kutamu labambu

carne / meat: mbisi, bisi, mbifi, bifi

carnero / ram: meme, dimeme

carta / letter: mukanda, nkanda

casa / house: nso, munanso

casado / married: nkla

casamiento / to marry: kusakana, longo

cascara / shell or outer cover: lele

catorce / fourteen: kumiya

cazador / hunter: mbole, walube

cazar / to hunt: kuela

cazuela / cauldron: balonga, balongo, kalubango, mulanganga, guincho, nguincho

cebolla / onion: molalo, alulosa, abubosa

ceiba / ceiba pentandra: nsambi, ngunda, ngundo, nsambia, sambia, sambi

cementerio / cemetery: nfindantoto, kunanso, kunasinda

ceniza / ashes: mpolo kubi, mpolo banso

cerebro / mind: samidilango

chismoso / nosy + gossiper: ndimanguiwa

chiquillo / small child: watoko, guatoko

chivo / goat: chenche, ekomba, kambo, kombo, nkango, nkongo

chusma / trashy female: nangara

ciego / blind: wafamensu, kanaba

cielo / sky: nsulu, sulu

cien / hundred: nkama

cigarro / cigar: nsunga, sunga

cigarillo / cigarette: nsunga mene, sunga mene

cimarron / escaped slave: pakase lele

cinco / five: ifumo

cintura / waist: eluketo, munila

ciudad / city: mbansa

clavo / nail: manan sonye

cobrar / charge: igana

cocina / kitchen: lambe

cocinar / to cook: ise

cocinero / a cook : mulombi, mualambi

coco / coconut: kano mputo, babomela busa, bana coco

cocodrilo / crocodile: gando munadansa

coge / take: kuata

coger / to take: tala

cojo / limping: guafakulo

collar / necklace: sanga ndile, nkutu dilanga

Collar de Bandera:

"Palo Mayombe initiates who have been scratched in the Rayamiento ceremony do receive one necklace that is called a Collar de Bandera (banner necklace). This is worn diagonally like a sash across the person's body from their shoulder on one side down to their hip on the other side. It is a mark of that person's status as an initiate and confers upon them the protection of the nganga. These are usually beaded in one long strand of multi-colored beads, or with segments of different patterns for each of the nature forces in Palo (red/black for Lucero Mundo, green/black for Sarabanda, white for Tiembla Tierra, etc.) There are variations of this necklace depending on whether an initiate has received a nganga of his own and typically this includes a series of coins linked into the necklace or three cowrie shells on a segment of chain."

comer / to eat: gako, lubia

comida / food: ndia, uria, udia

companero / companion: mpanga samba

comprar / to buy: kuenda suila, kita

contar / tell: nika

contento / happy: matoka kawuando

conversando / conversing: banbangan

conversacion / conversation: burokoko

corazon / heart: ntimate, nbundo

corojo / palm oil: ntunde

correr / run: lenga

corriendo / running: san san

craneo / cranium, skull: kiyumba

crucifijo / crucifix: nkagui, nsambiapiri

cruz / cross: njubo, tanda, kabusa

cuarto / room: suako

cuatro / four: iya, tatu, efua

cuatro espquinas / four corners: dilu, ndilu

cuatro vientos / four winds: kulusu, lucero

cuba / cuba: ngundo, kimputo

cubano / cuban: wanfuto

cucaracha / cockroach: nfuse, mpesi, pese, mpese

cuchara / spoon: luto, nalende, kalu

cuchillo / knife: mbeleko, bele, mbelefina

cuerpo / body: nitu, masimenga, fumanguame

cueva / cave: kasimbo, kasimba

cuidado / careful: kirio, nkirio

culebra / snake: mbamba, mbambo, sima, nsima

curandero / healer: Ngango buka, gangantare

----- D -----

dame / give me: kuende, atuya, tambula, simba, mpandika

dar / to give: kuba

dano / harm: diambo, kualono

dedo / finger: mioko, mioka, ngueika

dedos / fingers: nlembo, lembo

derretir / melt: languan

deseo / desire: ntondele

despacio / slow(ly): sualo sualo

despierto / awake: wiriko

desprenderse / tear away from: sakri, sakrila

dia / day: ba, muine, melembe, lumbo

diablo / devil: ndoki, kibundo, karire, minianpungo, kachanga, tata lubuisa, sampungo, doki

diente / teeth: menu, meno

diez / ten: kumi

dieciseis / sixteen: kumisabami

diecisiete / seventeen: kumisabuare

dieciocho / eighteen: kuminona

diecenueve / nineteen: kumifua

dinero / money: nsimbo, simbo, simbongo, nbongo

dios / god: nsambi, sambi, nsambia, sambia

dioses / gods: mpungos, npungos, mpungo, npungo

diosa / goddess: mpungu

doce / twelve: kumiyole

dolor / pain: yela, lunsa

domingo / sunday: diansona

doncella / virgin: kiwaka

donde / where: kilumbo, kilo

dormir / sleep: leka, solele

dos / two: yole, tauo, yari

duele / it hurts: yele

duena / female owner: nguda nkita

dueno / male owner: gangan gumbo

dueno / owner: dundu mbe

dulce / sweet: dimbo, ndimbo

durante dia / during daytime: kunanga

durante noche / during evening: kuseka

durmiendo / sleeping: talekendo

----- E -----

edad / age: kisoko

el / he: muene

ella / she: muena

elefante / elephant: nsacho, insan, bondantuei, pakasa sao, nsao

embarazada / pregnant: loyu

enamorado / lover: yambisa

enano / dwarf: ndundu mbaka (evil)

encender / light up: tuya, ntuya

enciende / light it: songuila lumuine

energia / energy: wanga

enfermedad / sickness, disease: kuakumenu, yari yari, yemba, yembo

enfermo / sick person: yera, yari, yanyara, tubelanga

enojarse / get mad: fula botan kando

entender / understand: tukuenda

enterrar / bury: kunfunda

entierro / burial: lukamba nfinda ntoto

entrar / enter: kota

envidia / envy: kimpa, kimpalu

epilepsia / epilepsy: nianga

ereccion / erection: nfia timbisi

esclavo / slave: mabika, mubika, muika, mbaki, musensa, babika

escoba / broom - monsi, nmonsi, kamba, baombo

esconder / hide: kabansiero, kabanchielo

escopeta / rifle: nkele, kele

escribir / write: masanika, chikuere, mukanda

escuchame / listen to me: guisa

escuchar / listen: sikilimambo

espanol / spanish: musuluwandio

espejo / mirror: lumuino, lumino, lumueno, vititi menso, vititi mensu, mpaka lumueno

espejuelo / glasses: lumeno

espina / thorn: kere benda, kunia

espiritu / spirit: ncuyo, nkuyo, nkisa masa, ngunda, ndundu, dibamba, yembereken, dundu, simbi, yimbi, ndoki, indiambo, yimbi

espiritu (brujeria) / evil spirit: kindoki, kilumbo

espiritu (nganga) / cauldron spirit: nfumbi

espiritu (fantasma)/ phantasm spirit: musanga

espiritu (malo) / bad spirit: ndoki

esposa / wife: nkana

esquina / corner: pambian nsila

estar / to be: diata

estoy / i am: yera

estomago / stomach: puan boane

estrellas / stars: buetete, buete, tetenwangam tetemboa, tango bonansisa, bunansisa, makoria

estudiar / to study: kudilonga

excremento / excrement: tufe, tufi, ntufi

extranjero / stanger: luwanda, lunwando

----- F -----

faja / belt: fanda, ponda

fallecio / deceased: tondolo kuame

fama / fame: bango

familia / family: kanda

fantasma, espiritu / phantasm spirit: kinkindiki

favor / favor: sofeka, nsofeka, masikila

ferrocarril / train: guio kila, nkumbre kunayiere

fiesta / party / festival: sikiringoma, kisobiakia, kisingokia ngola, bangalan

fiesta (baile) / dance party: kuma kia ngola

fiesta (musica o musica) / music festival: mumboma

firma / signature or sign: patibemba

Firma:

"In Palo, trazos (sometimes called firmas, or patipembas / patimpembas) are ornate drawings usually drawn on the ground with chalk that act as instructions for the nfumbe (spirit) that lives within the palero's prenda (pot) to go accomplish certain magical acts. These are characterized by their use of arrows, circles and crosses."

flecha / arrow: fendinde, yilo

floja / loose: tui kamasinda

fogon / stove: kuta, nkuto, munantuya, muyaka, maka

fornicar / fornicate: timbe, fifita oyongo

frijoles / beans: guandi, nkita lumbe

frijoles colorados / red beans: guandu mayonda lele

frijoles negros / black beans: madenso, mandenso

fruta / fruit: machafio

fruta bomba / papaya: machafio kisondo

fuego / flame: lemo, bukula

fuerza / strength: ngunsa, golo, ngolo

fumar / to smoke: basuke sunga, munu suke nsunga, fatibemba

fundamento / fundamental cauldron, root cauldron: songue, munalanga, pungun banso, yaya wanga, bango sasinguila

Fundamento:

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

"Also is determinated if the Ngueyo should be initiated as Tata and also if, eventually, He/She can receive Fundamento, a Nganga."

"The Brillumba Rule uses bones in his fundamentos. Some Paleros believes that more than a "Regla" itself, Brillumba, is a tecnique, a manner to prepare ngangas."

funeraria / funeral: yemba, fua nso

----- G -----

galleta / cracker: pojitana

gallina / hen: nsusu, sunsuketo, susukeke, wanabalo, wanambolo

gallo / rooster: susun kokoro, sunsu keku, susunwere

gancho / hook: samio

ganso / goose: wankala

garabato / branch stick: mombala

gato / cat: kimbungo, chiwabe, fumankano, fundiankane, gueai, nguai, tualengo

gata de magia / magic cat: bumba

gordo / fat man: buamato

gracias / thanks / thank you: ndondele, ntandele, tondele, ntandala moana, nkimandi, sundi, donso, ndonso, manbote,wuanka, nwuanka

grande / large: ntukua

grupo / group: krikoria

guanajo, pavo / turkey: nsowawo, asonwa, asowa

guardar / put away: nbaka

Guatoko:

"Ngueyo, Pino Nuevo, Guatoko, Muchacho de Prenda. It's the first step, the first real encounter with the Essence of the Kongo Spirits."

"New Spiritual Guides are provided by the Nganga to the Guatoko for his/her own safety and evolution."

guerra / war, battle: mulonga, gondomakayira

guitarra / guitar: lambrile matoko, sansimatoko

----- H -----

habla, hablar / speak (to): bobadinga, boba, mboba, ndinga, taba, ntaba

hacer / to do: kuila

hacha (machete) / hachette (machete): mbele, bele, krengo

harina / corn meal: diba, ndiba

hembra / female (girl): nkendo, nkenta, nketa

hermana / sister: mpangui yakala

hermano / brother: aburo, fumbie, nfumbie, niambe, pakisiame, nkombo, nkondo

hermosa / beautiful: boloya

hernia / hernia: munungua

hierbas / herbs, plants: bikanda

hierro / metal, steel: songe, nsonge

hija / daughter: moana, guandin

hijo / son: munafuto, munanu, munana

hilo / string: babuso

hinchado / swollen: mabimbi

hoja / leaf: difue, kuku, nkanda

hombre / man: bakala, ambaro, burubano, mabumboa, yakara, yakala, yaroka, gualada, mabemba

hormiga / ant: kiniomi, miasinam, miansiman nfitete, fikaya, fuila

hospital / hospital: kuanso, kumanso

hoy / today: lelu, kuangui, guaki

hoyo / hole: kuko

hueso / bone: matari pemba, mfansi, yesi, biyesi, beyesi

huesos / bones: kongoma, kanguame, musombo

huevo / egg: lele, mankima nsuso

humanidad / people: bantu

humo / smoke: disi

----- I -----

iglesia / church: munanso nkisi (kisi), kunanso, amasu mpubola

ignorar / ignore: dialamenso

incienso / incense: polo, mpolo nsambi (nsambia)

indio / indian: minganga badigaso, yamboaki

infierno / inferno: lurian bansa kariempembe, yenda kumbansa, kumbabma

iniciacion / initiation: bundan nkisi (kisi), bundankisi nganga, kimba, kimbo, mbele ngangano

iniciado / initiate: mpangui sama, kirano, malembe goganti

inteligencia / intelligence: ntu

irse / to leave: mbakuako, mikuenda

----- J -----

jabon / soap: saba, nsaba

jarro / jar: disanga

jefe / chief (person in charge): mbansa, ngubula, fumo, nfumo, mpangala

jengibre / ginger root: tua, ntua

jicara / coco shell cup: wata, nputo guankala, futu kuankala

jicotea / turtle: nkufo, guru, fuko, furio, fulu, sarakuseko

jimaguas / twins: basimba kalulu masa

jimagua / twin: mpansa

jorobado / crooked: guatekama

joven / young: matoko, baleke, muleke

jubo / juice: nanka, nuka, nioka

junto(s) / together: ambianta

juramento / swearing (in ceremony): kimbo, kimba

justicia / justice: dundalonga, dundalonda, fuambata, nfuambata

policia / police: gando

jutia / possum (found in cuba not US): ngunche, kumbe, sisi, nfuku, chonde, nchonde, kumbe, fumbe

----- K -----

Kimbisa:

"Andres Facundo Cristo de los Dolores Petit alias Andres Kimbisa or Andres Kongo, Ascended Master and Spiritual Guide of the Kimbisa Order. Isue of the Bakoko Potency in the Abakua Secret Society, Nganga Nkisa, Olorisha, Freemason and Franciscan Tertiary, He was the first initiator of white people into the Abakua Secret Society and into the Rule of Palo Monte. Approved by the Roman Catholic Pope Pius IX* in the year 1863, Petit's Fraternal Order, the Kimbisa Rule of the Saint Christ of the Good Journey, is today one of the most important branches of the Congo Faiths in Cuba, the New World and Europe. His Order and Rule is based upon a syncretism between the Mysteries of the various Kongos Religions, Lukumis, Espiritistas and Roman Catholics. Andres Petit founded a Religion, the first expression of Cuba to the social, political and religious mixture of the Diaspora. He was the preserver of the african traditions in Cuba against persecutions, and He integrated white men into the cults of the slaves, so His work has acquired a great and fundamental importance for the modern situation of the afro-cuban society and neo-african spirituality."

"Kimbiseros also uses a lot the Roman Catholic Mass following St. Gregory Magnus customary to say the Mass for the evolution of the dead souls of the purgatory."

"In the Kimbisa Rule of the Saint Christ of the Good Journey, we have different kind of spirits of the deads, mainly two, the Nfumbe and the Nfuiri."

"There are those who consider that the practices of the mayomberas and mayomberos are closer to the original tradition of the Congo, as opposed to those who practice the other Rites such as Kimbisa, Malongo and Briyumba and who are considered more creolized."

Kimpambula:

"As much as we would love a fairytale beginning of slaves and masters sitting around a nice boat with food the truth is quite horrifying. In other words how did african spirituality survive its journey. (kimbambula) Remembrance that is how it survived. Through song and dance, stories and depictions through the spirit of remembering."

Kimpungulu:

"A certain number of spirits called Kimpungulu (singular: Mpungu) inhabit the Nkisi (sacred objects, also spelled Inquice, Inquise, and Enkisi). Kimpungulu are well known in name and deed, and are venerated as gods."

----- L -----

la cardid del cobre / ochun, congo: mama chola, mama cholan, chola

la virgen de las mercedes / obatala, congo: tiembla tierra

la virgen de regla / yemaya, congo: baluande, balunga, kalunga, madre agua

labor / labor / work: kebula

ladrar / to bark: mufe

lagartija / lizard: diansila, diansiya, ndionsila

lagrimas / tears: masosi

laguna / lagoon: mungane monsa, tuale lango

largo / long: mboriyandi

lavar / wash: sakumali, sukula

lazaro, San Lazaro / lazarus, Saint Lazarus: mfumbe, nfumbe

leche / milk: magonde, manfanina, suka, nsuka

lechuza / owl: minian puango, fungo mafuka, muni anfuanga

lejos / far: tanga nkanda

Lemba:

"From Lemba other minkisi's are born and ngoma's as well."

"Lemba comes from lembikisa, which means "to calm"."

leon / lion: nsombo, sambo, nsombo, kosi, chu, kiandongondo, nsombo

levantar / to lift: sangula

levantate / stand up: sikama

licencia / permission: gueyaye, gonda dariyaya

Licensia:

"You gotta work what you have licensia to work."

limon / lime (lemon): koronko, kiangana

limpieza / cleaning (purifying): sala, nsala

limpio / clean: nsaku

loco / crazy: firali, fuali, fuati

loma / hill: sulumongo

loro / grey african parrot (sacred bird) : nkusu

lucero / equated to holy ghost: tetenboa, kimango, chamalongo

Lucero Nkisi:

"each completed Lucero Nkisi will gather about it an entourage of spirits to work."

Lucero Ndoki:

"to build a Lucero Ndoki for myself"

luna / moon: mposi, ngonda, ngondia, gonda, lungonda, ngunda, lengonda, tango dilanso

lunes / monday: nsala

luz / light (also brightness): tuya, munia

llanto / cry: masanga, samba, sambiayaya

llenar / fill: kumbre

llorando / crying: dalan kuame, dalan kuami

llover / to rain: mbula, nfulanguisa

lluvia / rain: lango

Luwongo:

"Tata Luwongo or Muluwanga Nkisi, means avuelo de prenda, godfather of Foundation, of Prenda. The Highest grade of the Structure."

----- M -----

machete / machete: mbele, mbeli, beleko, mbeleko, lumbendo

Macuto:

"Who is being worked upon/the nature of the goal is determined by the dirts/palos/herbs within the macuto (the pack of magical ingredients)."

"A Palo macuto, like the nganga, is a complex symbolic oracle. In its simplest form, it is a small sacrosanct bundle made of vegetable or other ingredients ritually sanctified and imbued with protective medicines."

"The Macuto is an amulet that has been prepared by a priest or priestess. The amulet is a small packet that is covered in colored beads and a cowrie shell."

madera / wood: nti, miti

madre / mother: yaya, yeye, kuandi, wandi, ngua

madrina / godmother: yaya, sumbo, nsumbo, ngudi, tikantika

magia / magic: kimpa

maja / serpent: mboma, noka, bomboma, bumbema, kimbamba

mal / bad (malicious): yila, nari, guame, nguame, kombo simba

Maleco nsala:

"Maleco nsala, friend."

malo / bad : ngongo, yela, malembe

Malongo:

"There are those who consider that the practices of the mayomberas and mayomberos are closer to the original tradition of the Congo, as opposed to those who practice the other Rites such as Kimbisa, Malongo and Briyumba and who are considered more creolized."

"Sala Malongo, Everyone"

Mamba:

"What prayers do you need to say when making mamba?"

mandar / send: tuma

mano / hand: inkuako, blanki, nguika, bata, nkewa, mbemba, lumbo, bembo, mbembo

manteca / lard: feria, masi, mense

manana / tomorrow: bari, mbari, masimene

mar / ocean (sea): kulunga, bulunga

marido / husband: masuako, nkana, ngami, matoko, bakali

martes / tuesday: nkando

martillo / hammer: dungo, ndungo, bungo

matar / kill (also sacrifice): bonda, vonda

mayombe / mystery of the spirits: mayombe

Mayombe:

"Mayombe practices are not made for Hollywood."

"Mayombe was born from the conceptual side of healing within art its cosomograms, and pictograph art."

"Palo Mayombe or Mayombe Rule. This is almost the first Rule established in Cuba. They have only one kind of "fundamento nganga": Nsasi Siete Rayos. They deal only with nfumbe (deads) energies and are very traditional and conservative. The Batalla Saca Empenho, Mayombe Saca Mpenho, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Sese, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Batalla Congo are among the most famous "Ramas", branches of this Rule of Palo. Usually the Mayombe houses are not christianized."

"There are those who consider that the practices of the mayomberas and mayomberos are closer to the original tradition of the Congo, as opposed to those who practice the other Rites such as Kimbisa, Malongo and Briyumba and who are considered more creolized."

"In the dark world of Palo Mayombe, many pets such as horses, dogs and cats are being stolen from loving families where they are then 'traded' for a monetary profit and subjected to brutal acts for ritual sacrifices. ARM has documented dogs and cats being confined in small cages and exposed to the extremities of 120 degree heat, with only the blood of other animals to drink. This is a 'step' in the preparation for up and coming ceremonies and only amplifies the degree of cruelty which these innocent animals endure in being served as 'food for the gods'. There are many intricate details that are used in setting up ceremonies in Palo Mayombe and for the most deathly curses, large animals are sacrificed such as horses that are often decapitated. To the highest extreme, human bones and skulls are used and obtained by grave robbing or taking a life. In 2012 ARM discovered the largest Palo Maybombe site in NW Miami Dade that has been investigated in the US. ARM investigators were informed of a strange site where dolls were dressed and adorned with beads, wooden statues of 'gods' carefully positioned, handcuffs hung over embedded nailed statues, pots filled with trinkets, seashells and seeds as well as whips made from horse hair and within feet, the carcass of a slaughtered horse was found."

"Paleros claim that they are being persecuted for their religious beliefs and stigmatized for their ritual practices. However, there is a significant difference; regardless of whether the Palero's intent is to heal or harm, Palo Mayombe ritually requires the use of human bones, hence this practice always entails the theft of human remains. Additionally, the types of animals sacrificed for Palo include domesticated pets such as dogs and other larger animals. The nganga is routinely fed with blood, so sacrifice occurs much more frequently then in Santeria rituals. Finally the religion of Palo Mayombe appeals to drug traffickers who believe that it has the power to protect them, and Paleros are hired to conduct special protection rituals. There are more crimes attributed to Palo Mayombe than any of the other syncretic traditions; they frequently include grave robbing, extortion, and animal and human sacrifice."

mayor / elder (in charge): tata ngango, tata ngango, tata nkisi, tata nkisa, mpambia nkisa

medicina / medicine: bilongo

Menga:

"The animal sacrifice ritual is performed to feed the spirits that live in the Nganga, with the blood of the animal, called Menga, which is poured onto the objects inside the Nganga. The animal carcass is placed inside the cauldron until the practitioner feels it is necessary to remove it."

"I was told that I should not clean my nganga after a feeding of menga. Let me explain. My nganga received her "Entrada". As we all know that when you feed menga, la menga spills along the sides of your nganga. Well once she was done with her feeding and after one week, I cleaned her home (which is the closet) back to the way it was before the Entrada. As I was cleaning and tiding up her habitat, I got a feeling that she wanted me to clean her "caldero" alittle bit as well. To confirm this feeling I thru "Chamalongo" and it was confirmed. So I wiped around her prenda alittle with water from a basin. I really didn't think much of it. My Padrino called to check up and of course I told him what I had done. He explained to me that it wasn't a very good thing that I wiped her signs of being fed. He explained that its important that I train my nganga to get use to looking like other ngangas. Not to get her use to this every time she is fed."

mentira / lie: bambu

mentiroso / liar: bambunguei

mesa / table: brandiku

miel / honey: ndambo kinkolo, wemba, dimbo

Minkisi:

"From Lemba other minkisi's are born and ngoma's as well."

"The nkisi for which Minkisi, Bakisi, Nkondi objects were formulated and brought to existence in Africa."

mirar / to look: sinde, nsinde, muene, tala, ntala, bika

mire / look: kili

misterio / mystery: lembo, nkui

montana / mountain: kunalemba, mongo

monte / woods: anabutu, finda, nfinda, kunanfinda, musitu

morir / to die: lufua, kufua

mosca / fly: boansi, bonse

mosquito / mosquito: lulendo, kangoma

Mpaka:

"Many of you may here the scare tactics from the Necromancers of today floating around with mpaka in hand waiting to shoot down anyone who is the voice of clear thought and reasoning."

Mpemba, Mpembe, Patimpemba:

"We are all children of Mpemba."

"A certain number of spirits called Kimpungulu (singular: Mpungu) inhabit the Nkisi (sacred objects, also spelled Inquice, Inquise, and Enkisi). Kimpungulu are well known in name and deed, and are venerated as gods."

"In Palo, trazos (sometimes called firmas, or patipembas / patimpembas) are ornate drawings usually drawn on the ground with chalk that act as instructions for the nfumbe (spirit) that lives within the palero's prenda (pot) to go accomplish certain magical acts. These are characterized by their use of arrows, circles and crosses."

"Chalk is mixed with medicine from an nkisi and given to children to fatten them. It is variously called pezo, mpembe or mpemba."

Mpeves:

"Mpungo, a natural Force, un Espirito de la Naturaleza, un Dios Congo, and the Spirit of a deceased are the main Mpeves, Spirits of the Nganga which forms the Nkisi, the personal Medicine of the Palero."

Mpungo:

"it is determined which Mpungo claims the Initiate."

"Sometimes the ruling Mpungo is called Angel de la Guardia de Palo."

"Mpungo, a natural Force, un Espirito de la Naturaleza, un Dios Congo, and the Spirit of a deceased are the main Mpeves, Spirits of the Nganga which forms the Nkisi, the personal Medicine of the Palero."

"A certain number of spirits called Kimpungulu (singular: Mpungu) inhabit the Nkisi (sacred objects, also spelled Inquice, Inquise, and Enkisi). Kimpungulu are well known in name and deed, and are venerated as gods."

"Sarabanda is one of the two main Mpungos, whom every Tata or male priest in Palo must receive in order to initiate others into the religion."

mucho / plenty: bobe, ingui

muerte / death: malala

muerto / dead: nfumbi, nfumbe, mfumbe, nganga, nkula, bakula, bankita

Muertos:

"Honor the muertos the way you've learned."

"The main practice of Palo focuses upon the religious receptacle or altar known as a Nganga or Prenda. This is a consecrated vessel filled with sacred earth, sticks (palos), human remains, bones and other items. Each Nganga is dedicated to a specific spiritual Nkisi. This religious vessel is also inhabited by a muerto or spirit of the dead (almost never the direct ancestor of the object's owner), also referred to as "Nfumbe", who acts as a guide for all religious activities which are performed with the Nganga."

mujer / woman: kasiwa, dimba, nkento

Muluwanga Nkisi:

"Tata Luwongo or Muluwanga Nkisi, means avuelo de prenda, godfather of Foundation, of Prenda. The Highest grade of the Structure."

Munanso:

"You may need to start your own small munanso."

"When you initiate in Palo, you make a pact with the spirits of a Muna nso ('house')."

"The Tata who possess Nganga may form a Munanso, a House of Palo."

mundo / world: bemba, panguila, npanguila

mundo (tierra) / world (earth): ntoto

musica / music: gungafuto, minwi, pungui

----- N -----

nacer (nacio) / born: sapunto, saputa

nadar / swim: guabinda

nalgas / butt (cheeks): fembe, bungonani, matako, nfembe

naranja / orange: balala, muamba, malata, mbefo

nariz / nose: beno nsumo, masuru, masuri

Ndibilongo

"Shame on the titles they supposedly uphold like Tatandi or Ndibilongos self-given to the ego that manifests within them."

"Tata Ndibilongo, is the Nganga Nkisi who has godchildren, el Iniciado que raya gente."

Ndoki:

"to build a Lucero Ndoki for myself"

"There are many Ramas that have developed through the ages such as Brillumba - This rama has separated into branches such as Siete Brillumba Congo. The branch born when seven Tata's from Brillumba combined their ngangas to create an Nsasi Ndoki. This rama has grown through the years and is well known today."

Ndundu:

"Bewteen the various Nfuiris we have the Bakulus, the ancestors spirits of a person and also the Ndundus, or wraths, wandering souls and the Nkuyos, wandering and powerful spirits often of evil nature."

negocio / business: mbembo

negro / black: mifuita, kulu, yandombe, yandobo, mufuita

Nfuiri

"The word Nfuiri means spirit of the dead, from "Nfwa" which is the Kongo name for Death. Ancestors and Spiritual Guides should be considered as Nfuiri."

Nfumbe:

"The Nkisi are the Natural Forces which visits the Nganga together with its Nfumbe, the dead of the Nganga and also the various Legions of Spirits of Nature."

"They deal only with nfumbe (deads) energies and are very conservative."

"The main practice of Palo focuses upon the religious receptacle or altar known as a Nganga or Prenda. This is a consecrated vessel filled with sacred earth, sticks (palos), human remains, bones and other items. Each Nganga is dedicated to a specific spiritual Nkisi. This religious vessel is also inhabited by a muerto or spirit of the dead (almost never the direct ancestor of the object's owner), also referred to as "Nfumbe", who acts as a guide for all religious activities which are performed with the Nganga."

"Basically Nfumbes are the spirits that lives inside our magickal cauldrons, the Ngangas, there are various secrets to build a Kongolese pot and transform the soul of a dead man into an Nfumbe of a Nganga. The nfumbe could be compared to the hebrew "Zelem", or spirit of the bones."

Nganga:

"The central tool of Palo worship is the Prenda, or Nganga. The Prenda is a consecrated cauldron of iron or clay, which houses the Nikisi of the initiate."

"The new brother is rayado, scratched over the Nganga of his/her GodFather/Mother and a Pact of protection and Spiritual Evolution is made with the Nkiso (Major Spirit) of the Prenda."

"People are going around stating if you do not have a direct Fundamental root from a Nganga than your practice is not valid."

"New Spiritual Guides are provided by the Nganga to the Guatoko for his/her own safety and evolution."

"Also is determinated if the Ngueyo should be initiated as Tata and also if, eventually, He/She can receive Fundamento, a Nganga."

"The Nkisi are the Natural Forces which visits the Nganga together with its Nfumbe, the dead of the Nganga and also the various Legions of Spirits of Nature."

"A Tata/Yaya is a Brujo, a Sorcerer/Sorceress who works/grows with the help of the Spirits, but within certain limits because he's not in possession of this Religion's most Central and Sacred Item: the Nganga. El Taita/Yaya Nkisi no tiene Prenda."

"Tata/Yaya Nkisi means Father/Mother (also Brother) of the Nkisi and was originally a term indicating the Initiates who has acquired knowledge of the herbs and spells of Palo, but is still learning in order to ascend to the further step: owner of an Nkiso: a Nganga."

"Often the term Tata Nkisi is considerated equal to Padre Nganga because in many cases the new Tata receives his Nganga at the same time, so actually the most important steps are those of Ngueyo and Tata."

"The term Brillumba is derived from the Kongolese word "krillumba" that means "skull". The Brillumba Rule uses bones in his fundamentos. Some Paleros believes that more than a "Regla" itself, Brillumba, is a tecnique, a manner to prepare ngangas."

"Natural objects, and particularly sticks, are thought to be infused with powers, often linked to the powers of spirits. These objects are known as "nganga" and are the ritual focus of Palo's magical rites and religious practice."

"The main practice of Palo focuses upon the religious receptacle or altar known as a Nganga or Prenda. This is a consecrated vessel filled with sacred earth, sticks (palos), human remains, bones and other items. Each Nganga is dedicated to a specific spiritual Nkisi. This religious vessel is also inhabited by a muerto or spirit of the dead (almost never the direct ancestor of the object's owner), also referred to as "Nfumbe", who acts as a guide for all religious activities which are performed with the Nganga."

"Palo's religious function revolves around the prenda or nganga - a magical cauldron composed of different soils, stones, wooden sticks, tools and bones. The prenda is a microcosm of the world, and contains a powerful pact between a spirit of the dead and the mpungo (force of nature) who rules the prenda. \"

"This happened while he was receiving sombra from my padrino's Nganga. The period after creation, when the nkisi is receiving sombra from the nganga, is the time when the spirits are gathered to the fundamento and pressed into service."

"The animal sacrifice ritual is performed to feed the spirits that live in the Nganga, with he blood of the animal, called Menga, which is poured onto the objects inside the Nganga. The animal carcass is placed inside the cauldron until the practitioner feels it is necessary to remove it."

Ngangankisi:

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

Ngangulero (Ngangulera)

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

Ngoma:

"From Lemba other minkisi's are born and ngoma's as well."

Ngueyo (Engueyo):

"Ngueyo, Pino Nuevo, Guatoko, Muchacho de Prenda. It's the first step, the first real encounter with the Essence of the Kongo Spirits."

"If you're an engeuyo, there is less you can do."

"Also is determinated if the Ngueyo should be initiated as Tata and also if, eventually, He/She can receive Fundamento, a Nganga."

ninguno / none: mune pun

nina / girl: moana nene, moana bakala

nino / boy: baligue, moana luke, basikanda, moana, muana, buta

Nkisi (Nkiso, Inquice, Inquise, Enkisi):

"The nkisi for which Minkisi, Bakisi, Nkondi objects were formulated and brought to existence in Africa."

"A certain number of spirits called Kimpungulu (singular: Mpungu) inhabit the Nkisi (sacred objects, also spelled Inquice, Inquise, and Enkisi)."

"The Nkisi are the Natural Forces which visits the Nganga together with its Nfumbe, the dead of the Nganga and also the various Legions of Spirits of Nature."

"The central tool of Palo worship is the Prenda, or Nganga. The Prenda is a consecrated cauldron of iron or clay, which houses the Nikisi of the initiate."

"The new brother is rayado, scratched over the Nganga of his/her GodFather/Mother and a Pact of protection and Spiritual Evolution is made with the Nkiso (Major Spirit) of the Prenda."

"Tata/Yaya Nkisi means Father/Mother (also Brother) of the Nkisi and was originally a term indicating the Initiates who has acquired knowledge of the herbs and spells of Palo, but is still learning in order to ascend to the further step: owner of an Nkiso: a Nganga."

"Often the term Tata Nkisi is considerated equal to Padre Nganga because in many cases the new Tata receives his Nganga at the same time, so actually the most important steps are those of Ngueyo and Tata."

"Tata Ndibilongo, is the Nganga Nkisi who has godchildren, el Iniciado que raya gente."

"Tata Luwongo or Muluwanga Nkisi, means avuelo de prenda, godfather of Foundation, of Prenda. The Highest grade of the Structure."

"each completed Lucero Nkisi will gather about it an entourage of spirits to work."

"This has become a sure sign that an nkisi is growing correctly, and is also a reason why sombra is so necessary. The period of sombra is an incubation, after which an nkisi becomes fully 'seated' and ready to work."

Nkondi:

"The nkisi for which Minkisi, Bakisi, Nkondi objects were formulated and brought to existence in Africa."

Nkuyu:

"Bewteen the various Nfuiris we have the Bakulus, the ancestors spirits of a person and also the Ndundus, or wraths, wandering souls and the Nkuyos, wandering and powerful spirits often of evil nature."

Nkumba-Nkumba:

"Nkumba-Nkumba who gave birth to all of us those who represent Bakongo and Kongo Cosmology"

no / no: nani, ko

noche / night: kalungo, buna fukua, bunanfuka

nombre / name: lusina

nosotros / we: e tutu

Nsasi Ndoki:

"There are many Ramas that have developed through the ages such as Brillumba - This rama has separated into branches such as Siete Brillumba Congo. The branch born when seven Tata's from Brillumba combined their ngangas to create an Nsasi Ndoki. This rama has grown through the years and is well known today."

nubes / clouds: yalanwa munansula

nudo / knot: nkango, gango, ngango

nueve / nine: fua, mendako

nuevo / new: lulendo penfialo

numeros / numbers: uno/one: yesi, dos/two: yole, tres/three: itatu, cuatro/four: iya, cinco/five: ifumo, seis/six: isabami, siete/seven: isubuare, ocho/eight: inona, nueve/nine: fua, diez/ten: kumi

Nzo (Nso):

"I'm not in position to find a new nzo"

"When you initiate in Palo, you make a pact with the spirits of a Muna nso ('house')."

----- O ----

obispo / bishop: fumo, nfumo

ocho / eight: inona, mendete

oidos / ears: mato

oigo / hear: mo wa

oir / to hear: sikiri mato, kuendan, kuto, nkuto, wiri

ojos / eyes: muini, mesu, mensu

oreja / ear: mato, tuto, nwenga

orinar / urinate: lango banga

oscuro / dark: tombe, mfuembo, mpimpa

----- P ----

padre / father: tata

pagar / pay: futeno

pais / country: nsi

pajaro / bird: nui, sunsun, sunso

palabra / word: dinga

palabras / words: mato

palacio / palace: munanso, munanso

palero / priest of the dead (congo priest): tata nganga, padre nganga, tata nkisi

palma / palm: lala, mamba

palo / stick: saku saku, nkunia, kunie

Palo:

"The word 'palo' ('stick' in Spanish) was applied to the religion in Cuba due to the use of wooden sticks in the preparation of altars, which were also called 'la Nganga', 'el caldero', or 'la prenda'. Adherents of Palo are known generally as 'Paleros', 'Ngangeros', or 'Nganguleros'."

Palo Brillumba (Briyumba):

"Palo Brillumba or Brillumba Rule. This sect of Palo is actually the most common. Its born from the Mayombe Rule. This Rule is syncretic and christianized. They have various kinds of "fundamentos" like Siete Rayos, Sarabanda, Madre de Agua etc. Their Ngangas contains nfumbes and Mpungu (Kongo Gods) energies. The Mpungus can be considered in a way Kongo versions of the Orishas. The Mpungus are also syncretized with Roman Catholic Saints. The term Brillumba is derived from the Kongolese word "krillumba" that means "skull". The Brillumba Rule uses bones in his fundamentos. Some Paleros believes that more than a "Regla" itself, Brillumba, is a tecnique, a manner to prepare ngangas. There's also the Billumba Rule, they are Ndoki and non christianized. They use bones too in the preparation of the nganga. Brillumba is for good and evil purposes so it's called "Briyumba Ndoki Biyaya Biyaya Sambi". The Myth says that Brillumba was born in "Kunancieto" which means Africa. The territory was called "Consecration" in the Northern Kongo Kingdom. This is the history of "Briyumba Congo Biza Cundumbo Munambe Silancongo San Quintiki Luambanza Nfinda Macondo que kuenda talanquera Engo Cheche Saravanda Saracuata Norucuon Mayombe Camino Cementerio con licencia Lucero Mpungo Mundo Nsila Camposanto que mbonda a to' los Nkita". Saravanda is the first and major Brillumba Nganga. Some Brillumba/Billumba Branches are 7 Brillumba Kongo, Vence Guerra Viramundo, Vence Guerra Acaba Mundo, , Mayaca, Siete Billumba Siete Brillumba Congo Indianda Cuaba also called Changani, Vititi Kongo, Quijenco, Monte Garavato, Saravanda Mala Fama, Paticongo Clava Clava."

"Palo Mayombe is also called by other names (depending on lineage) including: Palo Monte, Palo Kimbisa, Palo Briyumba, or La Regla del Congo."

"There are those who consider that the practices of the mayomberas and mayomberos are closer to the original tradition of the Congo, as opposed to those who practice the other Rites such as Kimbisa, Malongo and Briyumba and who are considered more creolized."

Palo Kimbisa:

"Palo Kimbisa or Kimbisa Rule. The Kimbisa Rule was almost the first to be established in Cuba by the Kongo slaves. The Kimbisa were the High Priest of the Kingdom of Kongo. Many things inside this Rule shows the evidence of its great antiquity, probably a direct descendant of the Kimpasi Secret Societies of Africa. The original Kimbisa Rule was not christianized. During the XIX Century in the two Cabildos of the Church of the Saint Christ of the Good Journey in La Havana; the Rule of the Kimbisa Order as Saint Christ of the Good Journey was developed by Tata Andres Facundo Cristo de los Dolores Petit, Founder of the Rule and great re-organizer of the Kimbisa Order. The Kimbisa Order has elements of ALL the various faiths and religions of the Cuban soil. Santo Cristo Buen Viaje is the first and totally Cuban Religion: Palo Monte Mayombe, Abakua, Santeria, Freemasonry, Espiritismo, Voudou, Roman Catholic Church are all parts of this Order.

"Palo Mayombe is also called by other names (depending on lineage) including: Palo Monte, Palo Kimbisa, Palo Briyumba, or La Regla del Congo."

"Palo Monte is divided into two branches: Mayombe or Kimbisa (created in Cuba in the mid 19th century. The sacred language is Spanish, although people greet each other by saying saalam aleykoum, an Arabic greeting."

paloma / pigeon: mpembe (if it is white), sunso nsambia, yembe

Palo Mayombe:

"Palo Mayombe is a religion that evolved in Cuba out of the native religious practices of the Bakongo speaking people of Africa."

"Palo Mayombe or Mayombe Rule. This is almost the first Rule established in Cuba. They have only one kind of "fundamento nganga": Nsasi Siete Rayos. They deal only with nfumbe (deads) energies and are very traditional and conservative. The Batalla Saca Empenho, Mayombe Saca Mpenho, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Sese, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Batalla Congo are among the most famous "Ramas", branches of this Rule of Palo. Usually the Mayombe houses are not christianized."

"Palo Mayombe is also called by other names (depending on lineage) including: Palo Monte, Palo Kimbisa, Palo Briyumba, or La Regla del Congo."

"A Mayombero is a practitioner of Palo Mayombe."

"In the dark world of Palo Mayombe, many pets such as horses, dogs and cats are being stolen from loving families where they are then 'traded' for a monetary profit and subjected to brutal acts for ritual sacrifices. ARM has documented dogs and cats being confined in small cages and exposed to the extremities of 120 degree heat, with only the blood of other animals to drink. This is a 'step' in the preparation for up and coming ceremonies and only amplifies the degree of cruelty which these innocent animals endure in being served as 'food for the gods'. There are many intricate details that are used in setting up ceremonies in Palo Mayombe and for the most deathly curses, large animals are sacrificed such as horses that are often decapitated. To the highest extreme, human bones and skulls are used and obtained by grave robbing or taking a life. In 2012 ARM discovered the largest Palo Maybombe site in NW Miami Dade that has been investigated in the US. ARM investigators were informed of a strange site where dolls were dressed and adorned with beads, wooden statues of 'gods' carefully positioned, handcuffs hung over embedded nailed statues, pots filled with trinkets, seashells and seeds as well as whips made from horse hair and within feet, the carcass of a slaughtered horse was found."

"Paleros claim that they are being persecuted for their religious beliefs and stigmatized for their ritual practices. However, there is a significant difference; regardless of whether the Palero's intent is to heal or harm, Palo Mayombe ritually requires the use of human bones, hence this practice always entails the theft of human remains. Additionally, the types of animals sacrificed for Palo include domesticated pets such as dogs and other larger animals. The nganga is routinely fed with blood, so sacrifice occurs much more frequently then in Santeria rituals. Finally the religion of Palo Mayombe appeals to drug traffickers who believe that it has the power to protect them, and Paleros are hired to conduct special protection rituals. There are more crimes attributed to Palo Mayombe than any of the other syncretic traditions; they frequently include grave robbing, extortion, and animal and human sacrifice."

"The animal carcass is placed inside the cauldron until the practitioner feels it is necessary to remove it. The animals sacrificed in Palo Mayombe include chickens, goats, rams, sheep, dogs, snakes, and horses, as well as spiders."

"The animal is normally killed by slicing the throat or breaking the neck. Evidence of animal torture or mutilation is indicative of Brujeria, Palo Mayombe, another occult religion, or an act of non-religious cruelty. Animal sacrifice involving cats, dogs, or large animals such as cows are more commonly associated with Palo Mayombe, Satanism, other occult groups, or disturbed individuals."

Palo Monte:

"The oldest branch of Palo is Palo Monte."

"Palo Mayombe is also called by other names (depending on lineage) including: Palo Monte, Palo Kimbisa, Palo Briyumba, or La Regla del Congo."

"Palo Monte is a African-Cuban religion based on the help of the ancestors."

pan / bread: bolo, mbolo

pantalon / pants: mbati, lele makate

pantera / panther: yamakara, kombo bongala

panuelo / handkerchief: lilenso, dilanso, dileso, direso, benso, mbenso

papel / paper: katikan kanda

para / for: duala, nduala

pared / wall: lumba

parir / to give birth: kabo angasi

parto / birth: mpasi

Patipemba, Patimpemba:

"In Palo, trazos (sometimes called firmas, or patipembas / patimpembas) are ornate drawings usually drawn on the ground with chalk that act as instructions for the nfumbe (spirit) that lives within the palero's prenda (pot) to go accomplish certain magical acts. These are characterized by their use of arrows, circles and crosses."

pato / duck: nsusulango, badango, barango, ufadango

pavo / turkey: suso asogue

pecho / chest: turu, nturu, tulu, ntulu

pegar / to hit: tati

peleando / fighting: monongoya, sambulan, sambilan

pelo / hair: insefe, nsefu, mabuisa, sefu, sefu, nsuesi, suke, nsuke

pellejo / skin: kanda

pena / shame: nfia, magate, makate

pensando / thinking: bonsando

perdon / sorry: sambia ntuke, yai, ntuke

permiso / permission: kuenda banguata, kuendan banguata

perro / dog: mboa, mbua, yimbis, mbulo, jimbia

pescuezo / neck: chinga, nchinga

pescado / fish: sonsi, sonse

pie / foot: lumbe, mumalo, alumalo, ntambe, tambe, ntambe, malo, mioko, dikuenda

piedra / rock: matari

piedra iman / magnet: fumanda kimpeso, fumanda impeso

piedra rayo / rock formed by lighting: nkita simpungo

pimienta (y de guinea) / dungo, ndungo, tuola

pina / pineapple: miengue

Pino Nuevo:

"Ngueyo, Pino Nuevo, Guatoko, Muchacho de Prenda. It's the first step, the first real encounter with the Essence of the Kongo Spirits."

piojo / flea: tatu

planta / plant: tiama, nsiama, kongue

platano: makondo, mankoma

plumas / feathers: nkanda, mukanda

poco / little: kukako, mune yole

podrido / rotten: yaola, nfua, fua

policia / police: fiota, gando, mukuaputo

polvo / powder: polo, mpolo

polvora / gun powder: fula, nfula

porqueria / trash: tufiro, ntufe

pozo / well: longue, kamatoto

prenda / amulet: nganga, ganga, macuto, kundu, nkundu, kimbisa, muganga, mungonga

Prenda:

"Translation of Prenda in Spanish: pledge; pact; forfeit; pawn; jewel."

"The main practice of Palo focuses upon the religious receptacle or altar known as a Nganga or Prenda. This is a consecrated vessel filled with sacred earth, sticks (palos), human remains, bones and other items. Each Nganga is dedicated to a specific spiritual Nkisi. This religious vessel is also inhabited by a muerto or spirit of the dead (almost never the direct ancestor of the object's owner), also referred to as "Nfumbe", who acts as a guide for all religious activities which are performed with the Nganga."

"The central tool of Palo worship is the Prenda, or Nganga. The Prenda is a consecrated cauldron of iron or clay, which houses the Nikisi of the initiate."

"Palo's religious function revolves around the prenda or nganga - a magical cauldron composed of different soils, stones, wooden sticks, tools and bones. The prenda is a microcosm of the world, and contains a powerful pact between a spirit of the dead and the mpungo (force of nature) who rules the prenda. \"

"The source of the palero's power is the prenda (jewel) or cauldron where the spirit or spirits of the dead used by the palero are said to reside."

"The new brother is rayado, scratched over the Nganga of his/her GodFather/Mother and a Pact of protection and Spiritual Evolution is made with the Nkiso (Major Spirit) of the Prenda."

"Once you are scratch, the learning begins before you can start working with the Prenda."

"A Tata/Yaya is a Brujo, a Sorcerer/Sorceress who works/grows with the help of the Spirits, but within certain limits because he's not in possession of this Religion's most Central and Sacred Item: the Nganga. El Taita/Yaya Nkisi no tiene Prenda."

"Tata Luwongo or Muluwanga Nkisi, means avuelo de prenda, godfather of Foundation, of Prenda. The Highest grade of the Structure."

"Excepting emergencies, prendas need to be fed blood once a year."

"According to the nature of the work to be performed, chickens, goats, turtles and other animals are sacrificed and the prenda is fed with their blood."

"The most disturbing discovery became that of a human skull that was found in a cauldron pot or 'prenda.' Test results showed that the skull was heavily laced and contaminated with mercury powder which became a hazard to the public, officials and ARM investigators. Many members of law enforcement were sent to hospital for mercury poisoning."

preso / prisoner: nena luande

prohibido / prohibited: nlongo

pronto / quickly: tuimini

prostituta / prostitute: nkuna nwako, mbisi labana, kontoria

prueba / proof: walenga

puente / bridge: masa lamba

puerco / pig (swine): misunguru

puerta / door: munelando

----- Q ----

----- R ----

rabo / tail: sila, biokonsila

raiz / root: bugule

rana / toad: sire, chula

rata / rat: mbinda, matutu, kibe

raton / mouse: untongo, wenputo, pu, npu, puku, mpuku, jipuko, jipuku

rayo / lightning: nsasi fula, yilo, mukiama

Rama:

"The Batalla Saca Empenho, Mayombe Saca Mpenho, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Sese, Ensala Mayombe Ngando Batalla Congo are among the most famous "Ramas", branches of this Rule of Palo."

Rayado:

"The new brother is rayado, scratched over the Nganga of his/her GodFather/Mother and a Pact of protection and Spiritual Evolution is made with the Nkiso (Major Spirit) of the Prenda."

Rayamiento:

"Palo's primary initiation is the Rayamiento (scratching) in which the body of a new initiate is ritually prepared by forming a pact with the nganga for protection and spiritual evolution."

recoger / gather: kuabilanga

recuerdos / memories: samuna nkenda

redondo / round: kuyerere, kuyere

regresar / return: lurie

reloj / clock: ntiele, bungafuto

resguardo / amulet (small): macuto, makuto, panga, kindo, mpungo, mpungu, nganga, ganga, kabunga, mabula, kondo

retrato / photograph: dimbo

rezo / prayer: mabungo, mambo

rey / king: nfumo, fumanchu, fumuampi, mani

rico / rich: mbongo

rincon / corner (inside house): kasuako

rinon / kidney: banga, mbanga, banga, mbanga

rio / river: lukala, kuilo, lukango, mbelesi, mbilesi

rojo / red: mbuaki, mengu

romper / tear (break): boa, diboa

ropa / clothing: lele, nguelele, nche, mbeke, miengue

roto / broken: kitutu

----- S ----

sabado / saturday: wengue, ngue, dengue

sabana / bed sheet: inseke, beko, muna, ditutu

saber / to know: bika, gualuki

sabiduria / wisdom: tuan, ntuan, bundanga

sabio / wiseman: nfumo

sacerdote / priesthood: nfumo bata

saco / sack (burlap): ntuku, fuko

sal / salt: sukre, mpolo

Sala Malongo:

"Sala Malongo, Everyone"

Salamalecum, salamecum, salamaleko, saalam aleykoum:

"Salamecum, tata"

saliva / saliva: mete

salud / health: yila, malembe, salamaleko, nsalamaleko, nsalamalecum, salamalecum

saludo / greeting: malembe nyale

San Lazaro (arara) / Saint Lazarus congo: mfumbe, nfumbe

San Pedro / Saint Peter, oggun: zarabanda, sarabanda

sangre / blood: menga, kimenga

Santa Barbara / Saint Barbara chango, congo: siete rayos, nsasi

Santa Teresa de Jesus / Saint Teresa: Oya, mother theresa, centella, mariwanga, mama wanga

santo / saint or deity: mpungo(s), mpungu(s)

sapo / toad: chula, nchulo, nkuila, ndionsila

Sarabanda:

"Sarabanda is one of the two main Mpungos, whom every Tata or male priest in Palo must receive in order to initiate others into the religion."

saya / skirt: lelepun

secreto / secret: abakua, sokinakue

seis / six: isabami

sembrar / plant: nfuri, furi, furintoto

senor / mister: mpangui

senora / misses: penda, ngana, nkento

serpiente / serpent: mbumba, nsiama

silencio / silence: mambe

silla / chair (seat): fumbo, luando, kibundo

soga / rope: musene, nima, bulo, mukolo

sol / sun: ntangu, ntango, tango, tangu

soldado / soldier: masereri, masoari, mubonga

soledad / solitude: moana kaka

Sombra

"This has become a sure sign that an nkisi is growing correctly, and is also a reason why sombra is so necessary. The period of sombra is an incubation, after which an nkisi becomes fully 'seated' and ready to work."

"This happened while he was receiving sombra from my padrino's Nganga. The period after creation, when the nkisi is receiving sombra from the nganga, is the time when the spirits are gathered to the fundamento and pressed into service."

sombrero / hat: kisumbo, musumbo, masumbo

sube / climb: banda

suelo / floor: tore, ntore

sueno / dream: kuanda nsoyi

----- T ----

tabaco / cigar: nsunga, sunga

tambor / drums: goma, ngoma, ngoma mputo, kingoma, mula, masikuila

tarro / bull horn: mbinga, bani, nbani

tarro (cargado de nganga) / bull horn (cauldron secret): mpaka

Tata (Taita):

"If you are a Tata or Yaya, you work what you've learned."

"Also is determinated if the Ngueyo should be initiated as Tata and also if, eventually, He/She can receive Fundamento, a Nganga." "Sarabanda is one of the two main Mpungos, whom every Tata or male priest in Palo must receive in order to initiate others into the religion."

Tatandi:

"Shame on the titles they supposedly uphold like Tatandi or Ndibilongos self-given to the ego that manifests within them."

Tata Ndibilong:

"Tata Ndibilongo, is the NgangaNkisi who has godchildren, el Iniciado que raya gente."

Tata Nganga:

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

"The Tata who possess Nganga may form a Munanso, a House of Palo."

Tata Nkisi:

"Tata Nkisi (Yaya for women), this is the second step into this Religion's Initiatical Structure.

"Tata/Yaya Nkisi means Father/Mother (also Brother) of the Nkisi and was originally a term indicating the Initiates who has acquired knowledge of the herbs and spells of Palo, but is still learning in order to ascend to the further step: owner of an Nkiso: a Nganga."

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

"Often the term Tata Nkisi is considerated equal to Padre Nganga because in many cases the new Tata receives his Nganga at the same time, so actually the most important steps are those of Ngueyo and Tata."

taza / cup: ponda, ncha

techo / roof: lulia

tela / cloth: kangu

templo / temple: nso

tener / have: simbanka

tiempo / time: mbu, tango, malanda

tierra / earth: ntoto, nsi

tigre / tiger: ngo, lugo, kinaningo

tijera / scissors: kesi, nsama

tinta / dye or ink: fiota, menga fiota

tirar / throw: takula

tiro / threw: munduko

tocar / touch: takalunga

todos / all: lumbo

toma / take: ntuala, fambo

tomar / to drink: tambula

tonto / dummy: soe

tormento / storm: mbula

trabajar / to work: banga, nsikila

tranquilo / calm: yeka

Trazo:

trece / thirteen: kumiyate

tren / train: nkumbre

tres / three: itatu, tatu

tristeza / sadness: kikenda

tropezar / stumble: munantansila

trueno / thunder: kuankila, guankila

----- U ----

uno / one: yesi

una / finger nail: kiala

uva / grape: mamputo

----- V ----

vaca / cow: naa, naja

vago / lazy: salantuwa

valiente / valiant: yen yen

valla / go: kuenda, fuase

vapor / vapor: nkubri kalunga

vaso / glass: chuta, nchuta

vela / candle: muinda, munda, muenda

velorio / wake (for the dead): tambi

vendado / deer: piti, sansamu, sombi, kabi, cha

vender / sell: tuenda, ntuenda

venga / come: mbanga, mbonga, wuanda

verdad / truth: mabianga

verde / green: mbi

verraco / idiot (bonehead): guangangulo

vete / leave: kuenda, quenda, kuisa, diata

vieja / elderly woman: kienbomba, kiboba

viejo / elderly man: nsula, okubo, okulu

viento / winds: nfinda, finda, nfinfi, impenso

vientre / womb: manalusa, nunalusa

vino / wine: malafo mabeya, malafo mbaso

vira / turn: bilula

virar / to turn: biringuer

visita / vistor: sensa

Vititi Mensu:

"Vititi Mensu, is a form of envisioning or scrying, using a sanctified animal horn capped with a mirror."

vivir / to live: buriri

volar / to fly: kakuisa

voz / voice: ndinga

----- W ----

----- X ----

----- Y ----

Yaya:

"If you are a Tata or Yaya, you work what you've learned."

Yaya Nganga:

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

Yaya Nkisi:

"Tata Nganga or Padre/Madre Nganga also Ngangankisi or Ngangulero, is the Tata/Yaya Nkisi who possess now his/her Fundamento, the Nganga."

yemaya (la virgen de regla) / yemaya, congo equal: baluande, balunga, kalunga, madre agua

yerba / plants: nfita, matiti, vititi

yerbas / herbs: musanga

----- Z ----

zapato / shoe: mamabo, nkandu