This book presents an interpretive overview of folk saint devotions in the Spanish-speaking Americas. The chapters are dedicated to folk saints from Argentina, Mexico, and Peru: Difunta Correa, Gaucho Gil, Niño Compadrito, Niño Fidencio, San La Muerte, and Sarita Colonia. The introduction and conclusion treat themes such as tragic death, curanderos (healers), miracles, the maintenance and growth of devotions, virginity and sexuality, myth formation, and spiritual contracts. All of these are considered in the broader contexts of orthodox and folk Catholicism and of regional culture.
Keywords: folk saints, folk Catholicism, popular Catholicism, santos populares, religiosidad popular, religión popular, Catolicismo popular, cultura popular, folk religion, popular religion, ritual, curanderos, faith healing
Print publication date: 2006 | Print ISBN-13: 9780195171303 |
Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: January 2007 | DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195171303.001.0001 |