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Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones
Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones is an initiate’s account of this much maligned cult whose central nigromantic mystery is the prenda, the cauldron containing the human skull or bones, re-animated by living spirit.
Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold traces the roots of Palo Mayombe back to Kongolese sorcery, the warrior and leopard societies, and the impact of the Portugese Mission. The original African faith is carried in chains across the abysmal waters of Kalunga and it flowers in Cuba as a New World Creole religion and cult. Yet Palo Mayombe can only be truly understood in the light of a highly developed African cosmology. In drawing parallels with both the ancient Greek practices of Necromancy and Nigromancy, and the grimoire tradition, Nicholaj also illuminates the Western tradition, showing what we have lost in our denial of the dead and the cult of the ancestors. The magical head of Palo Mayombe in its three-legged iron cauldron has implications for understanding our own histories, whether Odin, Baphomet, Bran, John the Baptist or Orpheus. The Misa Espiritual suggests one way in which we can reforge that vital connection and resurrect both our dead and ourselves. In Palo Mayombe the golden vein of fire still transmits the ancestral wisdom and transforms the Paleros into true spiritual warriors who are the walking dead.
The Garden of Blood and Bones gives explicit detail of the workings of Palo Mayombe for good and ill, the method of divination, the herbs, animals, trees and plants, powders, baths and waters, the songs and chants. It presents a complete living system one which embraces both the arts of healing and resurrection, and those that remove life. This is a serious study which confronts the sinister and violent aspects of the cult, but rather than purveying lurid sensationalism expresses the deep dignity and integrity of its nature.This is a book written from within the cult, and will serve as a guide for practising Paleros and those seeking initiation, not simply a Western audience. With access to rare materials, pamphlets, booklets and unpublished field notes, this is the most comprehensive study of Palo Mayombe to date. Santeros and practitioners of Vodou will also find much to ponder within these pages.
Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold traces the roots of Palo Mayombe back to Kongolese sorcery, the warrior and leopard societies, and the impact of the Portugese Mission. The original African faith is carried in chains across the abysmal waters of Kalunga and it flowers in Cuba as a New World Creole religion and cult. Yet Palo Mayombe can only be truly understood in the light of a highly developed African cosmology. In drawing parallels with both the ancient Greek practices of Necromancy and Nigromancy, and the grimoire tradition, Nicholaj also illuminates the Western tradition, showing what we have lost in our denial of the dead and the cult of the ancestors. The magical head of Palo Mayombe in its three-legged iron cauldron has implications for understanding our own histories, whether Odin, Baphomet, Bran, John the Baptist or Orpheus. The Misa Espiritual suggests one way in which we can reforge that vital connection and resurrect both our dead and ourselves. In Palo Mayombe the golden vein of fire still transmits the ancestral wisdom and transforms the Paleros into true spiritual warriors who are the walking dead.
The Garden of Blood and Bones gives explicit detail of the workings of Palo Mayombe for good and ill, the method of divination, the herbs, animals, trees and plants, powders, baths and waters, the songs and chants. It presents a complete living system one which embraces both the arts of healing and resurrection, and those that remove life. This is a serious study which confronts the sinister and violent aspects of the cult, but rather than purveying lurid sensationalism expresses the deep dignity and integrity of its nature.This is a book written from within the cult, and will serve as a guide for practising Paleros and those seeking initiation, not simply a Western audience. With access to rare materials, pamphlets, booklets and unpublished field notes, this is the most comprehensive study of Palo Mayombe to date. Santeros and practitioners of Vodou will also find much to ponder within these pages.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 5, 2019
excellent
August 26, 2024
Decent introduction to the practices of Palo Mayombe
December 5, 2014
An incredible overview of this Afro-Caribbean cult which dispels the generally sinister and feared reputation Palo holds over outsiders due to its negative media portrayal.
By painting the story of the tradition into a thorough and enlightening historical context, Tata Frisvold allows the reader access to a rich and complex faith that was carried over and reworked by slaves from central Africa.
The atrocities of the slave trade and the influence of Kongolese sorcery and ancestor worship provided the perfect crucible in which the fiery, chthonic, necromantic form of Palo Mayombe would eventually take shape.
In addition to an historical overview of the cult, the book offers an in depth catalogue of plant medicines, rituals, songs and firmas of selected spirits. An exceptional book for anyone interested in African Diasporic religions, witchcraft and magic.
By painting the story of the tradition into a thorough and enlightening historical context, Tata Frisvold allows the reader access to a rich and complex faith that was carried over and reworked by slaves from central Africa.
The atrocities of the slave trade and the influence of Kongolese sorcery and ancestor worship provided the perfect crucible in which the fiery, chthonic, necromantic form of Palo Mayombe would eventually take shape.
In addition to an historical overview of the cult, the book offers an in depth catalogue of plant medicines, rituals, songs and firmas of selected spirits. An exceptional book for anyone interested in African Diasporic religions, witchcraft and magic.
September 5, 2011
This is one of the only (good) books written about Palo in English and just because of that I recommend it.
Much of it is takes from other works written in Spanish about the subject in question, but the author tells that he has gathered the information from different sources, and that is only good.
The only thing missing is some more workings, but still it is the a very nice book.
Much of it is takes from other works written in Spanish about the subject in question, but the author tells that he has gathered the information from different sources, and that is only good.
The only thing missing is some more workings, but still it is the a very nice book.
September 12, 2020
A book that is very needed!
Palo Mayombe has been shrouded in such secrecy and bathed in so much negativity for too long. It is a beautiful tradition that deserves its place in the realm of respected and honored ancient African traditions. This book gives enough insight that dispels the negativity and encourages those who are called to it to walk with dignity and pride.
Palo Mayombe has been shrouded in such secrecy and bathed in so much negativity for too long. It is a beautiful tradition that deserves its place in the realm of respected and honored ancient African traditions. This book gives enough insight that dispels the negativity and encourages those who are called to it to walk with dignity and pride.
June 8, 2025
I've never read an overview of an ATR that is quite as thorough and well thought out as this one. The way that Mattos Frisvold writes about this tradition clearly shows that he loves it dearly, and he lays out his theological views in a way that is both readable and passionate. A must-read.
December 18, 2013
Excellent. The most comprehensive text in English on the subject.
February 23, 2017
Amazing
i loved every aspect of this book, instructive yet amazingly awesome lots of information that i needed myself. will read again soon.
i loved every aspect of this book, instructive yet amazingly awesome lots of information that i needed myself. will read again soon.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews