Devotees of Maria Lonza Religion Make Pilgrimage

For those of you who are not familiar with the sect, the María Lionza religion is a mix of Catholic, West African and other customs.

Each October, the devotees make a pilgrimage to Sorte Mountain in Yaracuy State, Venezuela, home of the high altar to the religion's central figure.

Along the pilgramage, the devotees engage in several rituals. Some draw elaborate designs on the ground with chalk, and lie within them. They believe they will be cleansed through being possessed by spirits. In the image below, a man in a trance made a pact with a spiritual leader to be more responsible and to work harder at his job.

Other rituals include the assembly of altars. Below is an example of an altar constructed on Sorte Mountain during the pilgrimage. According to the New York Times, "Our time in Sorte gives us the opportunity to get away from the daily burdens of our lives," one pilgrim said.



The Maria Lonza religion is one of many examples of the mesh of Catholic and African religions found throught Latin American culture.


Photo Sources: The New York Times, 2009