The central cult object of the Afro-Cuban religion Palo is the Nganga or Prenda, a pot filled with numerous magical and secret substances. The Ngangas exhibited here are dedicated to the thunderstorm deity Nsasi and Orisha Ochosi, the god of hunting.

Palo is also called “Las Reglas de Congo”, because mainly the religious ideas of Bantu slaves, who came from Central Africa, have been incorporated into these beliefs. In addition, there are Christian-Catholic elements and a wealth of other influences.

There is a creator deity with the name Nzambi, but it is too powerful for people to be directly addressed by them. The Kimpungulu are responsible for them, spirits who are on a lower level and are closer to the people and their concerns.

Long initiations are necessary to attain priest status in Palo. The preparations are considerable. They include, for example, learning the secrets around certain medicinal plants, the gods associated with them, dances, chants, ritual sequences and much more.

The knowledge is passed on orally only.