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belong to socially marginalized populations, including ​campesinos​, homosexuals, the poor, and
women. In turn, the ​servidores​, the bridge between palo and the holy pantheon, reflect some of
the heaviest struggles, or risks of marginalization, faced by Dominicans.
In addition to ceremonies for ​misterios​, palo is commonly heard in ​fiestas de difuntos ​or
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rezos​. Dominican Vodú pays a great deal of respect to the dead, as well as ancestral roots.
Fiestas de difuntos ​are meant to honor those who have passed. These ceremonies are also meant
to assure peace for the deceased, settling their fears of what a restless soul can inflict on the
living. To honor and assure their final destination, palo is performed for two special ​fiestas de
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difuntos​: ​el cabo de año​ and ​banco de palos​. ​El cabo de año​ is held on the first anniversary of
the death of a person in order to assure their eternal peace. The ​banco de palos​ acts as the final
memorial ceremony for the deceased, held seven years after their death. The focus during these
ceremonies is clearly honoring the dead, with musicians, relatives, and friends dancing around an
altar which features a picture of the recently deceased. Palo is then able to symbolize identity
through ancestry, or the roots of Dominican Republic.
Palo and the Public
Palo’s interaction with the public is an important aspect of Dominican Vodú. Beyond the
cultural implications behind ​misterios​ and ​difuntos​, the music making process of palo, as well as
associated practices, reflect some of the previous economic conditions faced by Dominican
Republic’s lower classes. An important aspect of paying respect to ​misterios ​is animal sacrifices.
Although the animal is meant to spiritually feed their deity, practitioners do not let ​any​ part of
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Parties of the deceased.
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​Palo ceremonies for the deceased.
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