Venezuela folk religion seen in secretive rituals

Thousands of Venezuelans congregated for candlelit rituals on a remote mountainside where adherents make an annual pilgrimage to pay homage to an indigenous goddess known as Maria Lionza.

Some calling themselves the “Vikings” pricked their tongues with razor blades, drawing blood that ran down their chins and chests. They said they could not reveal the esoteric secrets that govern their traditions.

The traditions centered on Maria Lionza are hundreds of years old and draw on elements of the Afro-Caribbean religion Santeria and indigenous rituals, as well as Catholicism. Believers often ask for spiritual healing or protection from witchcraft, or thank the goddess for curing an illness.
[...more...]

See also:

• Maria Lionza: Pilgrimage to magic mountain

Read Another Article

Florida judge to order runaway convert Rifqa Bary to return home
Kidnapped Irish priest said to be injured in Philippines

Related News Articles Topic(s): Maria Lionza Related Tags / Keywords: Maria Lionza • Santeria Subscribe to Religion News Blog updates Subscribe to Religion News Blog [What is this?] Get Religion News Blog's headline by Email [What is this?] Follow Religion News Blog at Twitter Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults: ApologeticsSearch.com: Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs. CounterCultSearch.com: Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, and cults experts -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support. Find Related Religion & Spirituality Books at Amazon.com Maria Lionza Possibly related... or Most Popular Religion News Articles Lawyer: Why I Defend Goat Sacrifice Santeria priest can resume goat sacrifices in his Texas home Court hears Texas case over Santeria animal sacrifices Investigators close case after experts doubt woman’s voodoo abduction story Woman says she was kidnapped and beaten by Santeria voodo group Santeria priest ready for fight with Florida city THE SUPREME COURT: Animal Sacrifice; Court, Citing Religious Freedom, Voids a Ban on Animal Sacrifices

Search Religion News Blog