In this "garden," nothing is ornamental; every element is a functional seed of power. 1. The Soil: The Nganga
The title "El Jardín de Sangre y Huesos" translates to "The Garden of Blood and Bones," which suggests that the film may explore the more intense and dramatic aspects of Palo Mayombe, such as animal sacrifices and other rituals that involve blood and human remains.
The phrase "Sangre y Huesos" represents the fundamental pact at the heart of the religion. The Bones (Huesos)
Whether you view it as primitive superstition or a profound technology of the soul, one fact remains undeniable: In the pantheon of human spirituality, there is no path as raw, as visceral, or as unflinchingly real as this garden.
(spirit of the dead) provides protection and executes the Palero’s will, while the Palero provides the "blood"—the vital energy—required for the spirit to act.
Unlike Western binary morality (Heaven vs. Hell), Palo operates on a axis of efficacy. However, the garden has two distinct sections: