Palo Monte shrine in Reparto La Correa, San Miguel del Padrón,
detail. On the floor, before the nganga or nkiso of Siete
Rayos, are the principal tools and spiritual agents used by this Palo
spirit (mpungu). Siete Rayos’ hooked staff (lungowa)
and machete (mbele) flank either side of Lucero Mundo, a palo messenger who borrows characteristics from the Lukumí orisha Eleguá (e.g., his cement head and cowrie shell features, center).
The human skull is a cemetery relic, which embodies the nganga’s
principal deceased spirit of the dead, who does the priest’s bidding
in the other world. To Lucero’s right is the priest’s divining
horn (mpaka), a cowhorn embedded with magical substances and sealed with
a mirror—a form similar to the appurtenances of Kongo minkisi.
For more information on Santeria and Palo Monte
The Palo and Lukumi Organization - General Palo Kongo information and Web Forum
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