Palo Mayombe: African Origins

Discover who the Congo people are and learn about the African roots of the Afro-Cuban religion called Palo Mayombe.

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What You Will Learn!

After taking this course students will be able to identify the ethnic group that was taken to Cuba and eventually began the religion of Palo. They should also understand their history, better understand syncretism, identify the branches of Palo that developed in Cuba as well as understand what nkisi are.

Description

In this course you will better understand how the events and people in Africa shaped what would later become the religion of Palo Mayombe in Cuba. This course is made up of seven lectures that are meant to easily explain the origins of the Palo Mayombe Religion as well as introduce you to the different denominations of Palo that exist today. You will also gain a better understanding of Palo Mayombe's relaionship with other religions including Catholicism and other African religions.

Oftentimes confused with Voodoo and Santeria, Palo Mayombe is a religion that hails from the people who were known as "Congos" in Cuba. These people weren't just those that come from the present day Democratic Republic of the Congo but from a much broader area. They believed in much more than magic, this is a story of politics and intrigue that includes triumph, deceit, war and much more.