1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910815632803321

Autore

Lastra Yolanda <1932->

Titolo

Adoring the saints : fiestas in central Mexico / / Yolanda Lastra, Dina Sherzer, and Joel Sherzer

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Austin, : University of Texas Press, 2009

ISBN

0-292-79346-4

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (220 p.)

Collana

The William & Bettye Nowlin series in art, history, and culture of the western hemisphere

Altri autori (Persone)

SherzerDina

SherzerJoel

Disciplina

263/.98097241

Soggetti

Fasts and feasts - Mexico - San Luis de la Paz

Fasts and feasts - Mexico - San Miguel de Allende

Christian patron saints - Mexico - San Luis de la Paz

Christian patron saints - Mexico - San Miguel de Allende

Holy Week - Mexico - San Miguel de Allende

Chichimeca-Jonaz Indians - Mexico - San Luis de la Paz - Religion

Chichimeca-Jonaz Indians - Mexico - San Luis de la Paz - Social life and customs

Otomi Indians - Mexico - San Miguel de Allende - Religion

Otomi Indians - Mexico - San Miguel de Allende - Social life and customs

San Luis de la Paz (Mexico) Religious life and customs

San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) Religious life and customs

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1. Setting the stage -- 2. Fiesta leaders, officials, and saints (Mayordomos, cargueros, y santos) -- 3. Vigils, visits, and ritual meals (Velaciones, posadas, y reliquias) -- 4. processions, encounters, ceremonies, and masses (Procesiones, encuentros, ceremonias, y misas) -- 5. Dances, dance dramas, and entertainments -- 6. Toward understanding the patron saint fiesta -- Appendices: Contents -- Notes -- Glossary -- References -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Mexico is famous for spectacular fiestas that embody its heart and soul. An expression of the cult of the saint, patron saint fiestas are the



centerpiece of Mexican popular religion and of great importance to the lives and cultures of people and communities. These fiestas have their own language, objects, belief systems, and practices. They link Mexico's past and present, its indigenous and European populations, and its local and global relations. This work provides a comprehensive study of two intimately linked patron saint fiestas in the state of Guanajuato, near San Miguel de Allende—the fiesta of the village of Cruz del Palmar and that of the town of San Luis de la Paz. These two fiestas are related to one another in very special ways involving both religious practices and their respective pre-Hispanic origins. A mixture of secular and sacred, patron saint fiestas are multi-day affairs that include many events, ritual specialists, and performers, with the participation of the entire community. Fiestas take place in order to honor the saints, and they are the occasion for religious ceremonies, processions, musical performances, dances, and dance dramas. They feature spectacular costumes, enormous puppets, masked and cross-dressed individuals, dazzling fireworks, rodeos, food stands, competitions, and public dances. By encompassing all of these events and performances, this work displays the essence of Mexico, a lens through which this country's complex history, religion, ethnic mix, traditions, and magic can be viewed.