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[[File:Maria-Lionza-Tarot.jpg|300px|thumb|Maria Lionza depicted as [[The Empress]] in ''El Tarot de Maria Lionza'']] | [[File:Maria-Lionza-Tarot.jpg|300px|thumb|Maria Lionza depicted as [[The Empress]] in ''El Tarot de Maria Lionza'']] | ||
'''María Lionza''' is a folk [[saint]] and the central figure in the most widespread new religious movement in Venezuela. The cult of María Lionza, like many other [[African | '''María Lionza''' is a folk [[saint]] and the central figure in the most widespread new religious movement in Venezuela. The [[cult]] of María Lionza, like many other [[African diaspora religion]]s, is a blend of African, indigenous, and [[Christianity|Catholic beliefs]]. | ||
She is revered as a goddess of nature, love, peace and harmony. She has followers throughout Venezuelan society, from small rural villages to Caracas, where a monumental statue stands in her honor. | She is revered as a goddess of nature, love, peace and harmony. She has followers throughout Venezuelan society, from small rural villages to Caracas, where a monumental statue stands in her honor. | ||
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==Cult== | ==Cult== | ||
[[File:Maria-Lionza-Ritual.png|400px|thumb|Ritual being undertaken by followers of Maria Lionza]] | [[File:Maria-Lionza-Ritual.png|400px|thumb|Ritual being undertaken by followers of Maria Lionza]] | ||
The rites of María Lionza take place in the Sorte mountain, near the town of Chivacoa in Yaracuy state, Venezuela. The origins of the cult are uncertain, it is a syncretism of Indigenous, Catholic and [[African | The rites of María Lionza take place in the Sorte mountain, near the town of Chivacoa in Yaracuy state, Venezuela. The origins of the cult are uncertain, it is a syncretism of Indigenous, Catholic and [[African diaspora religion|African beliefs]]. | ||
Traditions of trance communication (seeking to [[channeling|channel]] the soul of dead people in a living body) may have started about 19th and 20th century in Latin America, popularized by the teachings of the 19th century Frenchman Allan Kardec. Angelina Pollok-Eltz from Andrés Bello Catholic University in Venezuela, who has worked on the subject, says that the rituals in Sorte started in the early 1920s and were brought to urban areas a decade later. | Traditions of trance communication (seeking to [[channeling|channel]] the soul of dead people in a living body) may have started about 19th and 20th century in Latin America, popularized by the teachings of the 19th century Frenchman Allan Kardec. Angelina Pollok-Eltz from Andrés Bello Catholic University in Venezuela, who has worked on the subject, says that the rituals in Sorte started in the early 1920s and were brought to urban areas a decade later. | ||
Maria Lionza followers travel to the mountain for a week each October 12 during the national Day of Indigenous Resistance. In 2011, estimates indicated that about 10% to 30% Venezuelan were followers of the cult. At the time, Venezuelan authorities indicated that about 200 thousands followers participated in the traditions, including foreigners coming from the Americas and Europe. In 2011, Wade Glenn, an anthropologist from Tulane University in the United States, estimated that about 60% of Venezuelan population may have participated in the cult of María Lionza at some point. Glenn argues that the conversational aspect of the rituals may have therapeutical effects. | Maria Lionza followers travel to the mountain for a week each October 12 during the national Day of Indigenous Resistance. In 2011, estimates indicated that about 10% to 30% Venezuelan were followers of the [[cult]]. At the time, Venezuelan authorities indicated that about 200 thousands followers participated in the traditions, including foreigners coming from the Americas and Europe. In 2011, Wade Glenn, an anthropologist from Tulane University in the United States, estimated that about 60% of Venezuelan population may have participated in the cult of María Lionza at some point. Glenn argues that the conversational aspect of the rituals may have therapeutical effects. | ||
The rituals themselves bear much in common with traditional Haitian [[Voodoo]], although the two religions are not connected. They both involve drinking alcohol, smoking, and trances caused by rhythmic drumming. | The rituals themselves bear much in common with traditional Haitian [[Voodoo]], although the two religions are not connected. They both involve drinking alcohol, smoking, and trances caused by rhythmic drumming. | ||
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Members from all Venezuelan social classes participate in the rituals. In local reports, the rituals have been considered to be linked with the late president of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, yet there is little to no evidence. Chávez himself said he did not take part in it, and some followers of María Lionza have said to support him while others dislike Chávez. Some analysts argue that the decline of political power of the [[Christianity|Catholic Church]] during Chávez, along with the crisis in Venezuela, may have led many Venezuelans to seek for help and join the cult. The hyperinflation in Venezuela that started in 2016 has affected the rituals as many are unable to access the materials necessary to carry out the ceremonies. | Members from all Venezuelan social classes participate in the rituals. In local reports, the rituals have been considered to be linked with the late president of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, yet there is little to no evidence. Chávez himself said he did not take part in it, and some followers of María Lionza have said to support him while others dislike Chávez. Some analysts argue that the decline of political power of the [[Christianity|Catholic Church]] during Chávez, along with the crisis in Venezuela, may have led many Venezuelans to seek for help and join the cult. The hyperinflation in Venezuela that started in 2016 has affected the rituals as many are unable to access the materials necessary to carry out the ceremonies. | ||
==Traditions and | ==Traditions and [[Spiritualism|Spiritism]]== | ||
Her followers call themselves ''Marialionceros'' and refer María Lionza as the "Queen" (Spanish: ''La Reina''). People go to Sorte mountain seeking for strength, healing and to contact the souls of dead people. During the pilgrimage, the principal | Her followers call themselves ''Marialionceros'' and refer María Lionza as the "Queen" (Spanish: ''La Reina''). People go to Sorte mountain seeking for strength, healing and to contact the souls of dead people. During the pilgrimage, the principal [[shaman]]s and priests of María Lionza come together to pay homage. Many followers wear indigenous costumes and perform a traditional fire walking dance called the "dance of hot coals" (Spanish: ''baile de las brasas''). | ||
Several spirits are also worshipped during the rituals alongside Catholic [[saint]]s. María Lionza is one of the main "three powers" (Spanish: ''Tres Potencias''), which also include Guaicaipuro, a legendary indigenous resistance leader of 16th century, and Negro Felipe, a black Afro-American soldier that allegedly participated in the Venezuelan War of Independence. | Several spirits are also worshipped during the rituals alongside Catholic [[saint]]s. María Lionza is one of the main "three powers" (Spanish: ''Tres Potencias''), which also include Guaicaipuro, a legendary indigenous resistance leader of 16th century, and Negro Felipe, a black Afro-American soldier that allegedly participated in the Venezuelan War of Independence. | ||