Bantu Religion + Kongo Shamanism in California
I never pressure my godchildren to do anything. The people who are here tonight (at a ceremony) are the ones who were meant to be here. The ones who weren’t, aren’t.
Of course I know what my godchildren are doing. Our spirits talk to each other at night, just like you and I are talking on [...]
The Wiccans know a lot of things. So do the Rosicrucians. You have to be careful around those people though. They don’t always understand what they’re doing when they talk to the spirits, and so they wind up damaging a lot of people by accident.
Understanding takes away fear.
I’m a Latino practicing an African religion in a white country.
I tell people “If you want an African witchdoctor, go to Africa. This is America.”
You don’t have to go to Africa to find God. You don’t even have to go to Cuba. God is all around us.
Everyone has psychic abilities. Most people just don’t develop them.
You don’t have to be initiated into the religion to be psychic. You just need to practice.
I know you better than you know yourself.
I’m not God. I’m just a messenger.
Where does God live? In a church? No! God lives in the jungle.
God sees everything you do, both the good and the bad.
If you have something you need to do, and the spirits have advised you against it, then pray to God, and explain “God, I have something I [...]
The god of your house is your nganga.
You can lie to me, you can lie to everyone, but you can’t lie to your nganga.
If you’re doing a consultation for someone and their muertos (spirits) start talking, just ignore them. The only spirit you need to listen to is your nganga.
When you get an idea in [...]
Master alcohol, don’t let it master you.
Alcohol opens up your aura, that’s why we drink a little rum when we’re drumming or when we’re dancing. To let the good spirits in. Just a little though – too much and you could lose control.
People who drink all the time have less protection and so any kind [...]
Buddhism and Christianity are good religions, but Palo is more Powerful.
Our religion isn’t a religion, it’s a secret tradition. I go to Catholic church in the morning and pray to Jesus, then I come home at night and play with the spirits.
You can be in any (other) religion you want, just make sure to respect [...]
Lots of people practice the religion that you don’t even know about. It’s very popular with white people nowadays.
White people can be very good at this religion. It just depends on what kind of muertos (spirits) you have.
You don’t have to talk to the spirits in Spanish. Speak to them in English – they understand [...]
You leave water for your ancestors so they can refresh themselves. When the water is dry, they get angry.
Anyone can pray to any god, but your ancestors are just for you.
Call you mother! She’s worried about you.
