# Palo

/ˈpæɫoʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/palo
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a group of religions from Cuba that come from Central African traditions. These faiths focus on connecting with the spirits of ancestors and the natural world.

For teachers: a group of closely related denominations with origins in the Congo Basin, developed by enslaved Central Africans in Cuba. It is characterized by the veneration of ancestral spirits and the use of natural objects, particularly sticks or branches, in ritual practice.

## Examples

- Many people in Cuba still practice Palo today.
- The researcher spent years studying the differences between Palo and other Afro-Cuban traditions like Santería.
- Scholars often distinguish Palo from other Caribbean faiths by its specific focus on the 'nganga', a consecrated vessel containing earth and sticks believed to house a powerful spirit.

## Usage notes

- Often capitalized as it refers to a specific religious system; frequently appears in the phrase 'Palo Mayombe'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.