The hybrid culture of Mexico

One of the most interesting aspects of Mexican culture is probably its mix of European and indigenous culture. Yesterday we went to visit the huge modern Basilique, the old one and the ofrendas (offerings) for the Dia de los Muertos. It is such as strange mix of Catholicism with its crucifix and icons with indigenous practices of honouring of ancestors, the crazy skeleton puppets and offerings of maize ears and popcorn. In front of the church, traditional dances are presented, before entering mass (misa).
So is the story of the Virgin of Guadaloupe, which is a dark'skinned Virgin that appeared to an indian and told him to go to the Arch Bishop to ask him to construct a temple for her. Of course he refused at first, saying that the Virgin would not appear to an indian...
Like always it leaves me with mixed feelings about religion and I share them with Carolina. She is a critical catholic, who believes but at the same time notes how religion has been so misused in the history of her country to conquer and supress the people. However, she explains that in Chiapas church organisations have often helped very hard to organize the people in their fight for the land. And in Oaxaca, the arch bishop is on the side of APO.

Another aspect can be seen in the health sector, where traditional medicines and rituals are practised sight by sight conventional western medicin. At the Zocola (central square) traditional medicine man, offer their services to the people to purify them with a lot of smoke and soft slashes with twiggs (often for free or only for donations).