Bantu Religion + Kongo Shamanism in California
World’s oldest religion discovered in Botswana – 70,000 year-old stone python Archaeologists have discovered what seems to be remains of the world’s earliest religious worship site in the remote Ngamiland region of Botswana. Here, our ancestors performed advanced rituals, worshipping the python some 70,000 years ago. The sensational discovery strengthens Africa’s position as the cradle [...]
SOURCE : Ndoki bueno ndoki malo: Historic and contemporary Kongo religion in the African diaspora The religious traditions of Central Africans have been less a focus of attention than those from West Africa. Despite being often more widespread in the American diaspora, these traditions are often overlooked by academic studies or characterized as witchcraft rather [...]
SOURCE : CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Congo The irreligion and ignorance of the Congolese have often been exaggerated and misrepresented. They are not so debased as many pretend. They recognize a supreme God, Creator of all things, but they seem very largely to ignore His immediate Providence and His interventions in the affairs of this world. They [...]
SOURCE : Kongo Cosmogram This is the simplest manifestation of the Kongo cruciform, a sacred “point” on which a person stands to make an oath, on the ground of the dead and under all-seeing God. This Kongo “sign of the cross” has nothing to do with the crucifixion of the Son of God, yet its [...]
SOURCE : “The Good Gangulero” The first thing that a Gangulero needs to know, not to mix the family with the religion, what happens is that a lot of Ganguleros let their feelings run them and that is a big error a lot of them commit. I mention this because in my career I have [...]
SOURCE : The Derecho: An Anthropological Approach to Understanding Money Exchange in Santería Back when J. (a close friend) and I made saint, we didn’t spend more than the equivalent of about $100. Nowadays, you can pay at least $10,000 to make saint here in the U.S. and at least half that much if you [...]
(Spanish) – literally, “godfather” – the head priest of a palo temple, the one who initiates you into the religion. In palo, the importance of finding a good padrino cannot be overstated; a good one will transfer some of his energy and wisdom you, help you solve your life problems, protect you when you get [...]
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 – [...]
You need to believe in three things to be a good witchdoctor – Yourself, yourself, and yourself. If you want problems in your life, help people. When you help sick people, be sure to make an offering to San Lazaro for protection. When sick people get better, they usually betray you. Don’t look for clients. [...]
