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 News from Around the Americas | February 2007 
Shrine Found Near Bodies Spurs Voodoo Probe
 Byron Harris - WFAA-TV
| | Police said the shrine had a machete, feathers, chicken bones and a female skull inside. (WFAA-TV) |
As Dallas police probe any possible Santeria or Palo religion connections to the murder of a young couple, some negative connotations some hold across Texas on the religion are once again rising.
During the late '80s, a series of murders near Matamoros, Mexico were committed by a cult that was connected to a Mexican drug cartel, some of whom practiced a religion called Palo Mayombe.
Neither the Santeria or Palo religions involve the taking of human life, but both are growing in the United States after originating in Africa and migrating to Cuba.
"There are probably more Santeria in the United States now than there ever were in Cuba," said author Mary Ann Clark, who wrote two books on the Santeria and Palo religions. "It's continuing to grow [in] big communities in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago."
Some of the artifacts inside the shrine that were found near the couple at the remote Dowdy Ferry Bridge over the Trinity River appeared to be Palo-related, while others seemed Santeria-related, police said.
According to officials, the items within the shrine are used to help practitioners link to spirits or gods who they believe can make their lives on Earth better. The iron pot is believed to be inhabited by a spirit both Palo and Santeria, while the color red transmits energy.
The sticks found inside are associated with the Palo religion and chicken bones with the Santeria religion, to help practitioners communicate with the spirit. The machete, originally used by Cubans to cut sugar cane, helps practitioners cut through obstacles.Mary Ann Clark said the shrine found near the river bottom was most likely placed there since spirits of the two religions are associated with nature. Also, the place is relatively secluded and possibly a place where ceremonies can be conducted in private.
While police are now looking into the religions, there have been no direct links made between the artifacts and the murders.
bharris@wfaa.com |
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