Popular Religiosity and Public Space in Guadalajara: Expressions of Religious Syncretism in Urban Contexts
Abstract
The article "Popular Religiosity and Public Space in Guadalajara: Expressions of Religious Syncretism in Urban Contexts" analyzes how popular religiosity reshapes and transforms public space in Guadalajara. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, it examines religious celebrations stemming from the syncretism between indigenous traditions and Catholicism, which shape the urban landscape and collective memory.
It identifies differences between religious practices in the eastern and western areas, reflecting Guadalajara’s cultural and religious diversity. The eastern area features indigenous-rooted symbols, while the western area is characterized by traditional Catholic liturgies. These practices strengthen social cohesion and community identity by transforming streets and plazas into sacred spaces.
The study also discusses religious tourism as a phenomenon that influences public space, creating economic opportunities and challenges for cultural preservation. Festivals such as the Romería of the Virgin of Zapopan and the Holy Convocation of La Luz del Mundo exemplify how popular religiosity redefines urban space, fostering interactions between the sacred and the secular.
In summary, popular religiosity is a key social and cultural process in shaping identity and public space, essential for understanding contemporary urban dynamics.
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