Traditional Marian Celebrations in Mexico, an Immaterial Cultural Heritage that Remains

Abstract

Traditional celebrations bring together multiple samples of intangible cultural heritage. They include ritual and festive acts, the use of ancient knowledge and techniques, performances and numerous artistic representations. In Mexico, among the celebrations of historic cities and towns, those dedicated to the Virgin Mary stand out in their various advocations. Such festivities have been around since the 16th century and survive to this day in the 21st century. Some of these celebrations are massive. One of them is the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe that annually receives more than ten million people in the Basilica in her honor in Mexico City in the first days of December. Others have great cultural importance such as the Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Zapopan, which was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the XIII session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2018. However, there are festivals of this type throughout the Mexican territory. They show traditional dances, multicolored crafts, aromas and flavors inherited from the Mayan, Aztec, Zapotec, Totonac cultures, among others.

The objective of this work is to analyze what are the factors that allow the Marian celebrations in Mexico to be adapted to the contemporary way of life. Its main source is the interviews and surveys that were carried out among the participants of such celebrations throughout Mexico. From the testimonies of the heirs of the intangible heritage, we can understand what are the challenges facing Marian celebrations and what are the strategies they are using for their safeguarding.