A statue of Maria Lionza stands in front of followers of her cult during their annual gathering at Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, one year after the annual pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Along with Santeria, Venezuela is home to other folk religions, such as the sect surrounding the Indian goddess Maria Lionza, an indigenous woman who according to tradition was born on Sorte Mountain and whose cult has spread to Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Central America. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A follower of Maria Lionza's cult spreads milk with cognac during a ritual at Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, one year after the annual pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Along with Santeria, Venezuela is home to other folk religions, such as the sect surrounding the Indian goddess Maria Lionza, an indigenous woman who according to tradition was born on Sorte Mountain and whose cult has spread to Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Central America. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A follower of Maria Lionza's cult performs the flame dance at Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, early Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, one year after the annual pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Those immersed in the old tradition say it puts them in a trance that allows them to channel spirits and escape injury from otherwise dangerous feats. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A follower of Maria Lionza's cult stands in a trance in a river at the base of Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, one year after the annual pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Along with Santeria, Venezuela is home to other folk religions, such as the sect surrounding the Indian goddess Maria Lionza, an indigenous woman who according to tradition was born on Sorte Mountain and whose cult has spread to Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Central America. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A follower of Maria Lionza's cult performs the flame dance at Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, early Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, one year after the annual pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Those immersed in the old tradition say it puts them in a trance that allows them to channel spirits and escape injury from otherwise dangerous feats. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
“Diosa indígena de Venezuela”
María Lionza es la reina, madre o inspiración de un culto espiritista, popular en Venezuela, cuyos seguidores se hacen llamar «marialionceros».
Durante la Semana Santa y el Día de la Raza (12 de octubre), son numerosas las peregrinaciones a la montaña de Sorte, ubicada cerca de Chivacoa, en el estado de Yaracuy. A este lugar llegan los devotos con el objeto de hacerle todo tipo de peticiones a María Lionza, las cuales van desde la cura de enfermedades, la solución de problemas de amor, hasta la obtención de riqueza o poder. Para que los favores les sean concedidos, los creyentes eligen un rincón en el bosque o un recodo en el río donde construyen un altar para invocarla.
Un año después de que se cancelara la peregrinación anual debido a las restricciones de COVID-19, seguidores del culto de María Lionza vuelven a congregarse.
“Indigenous God of Venezuela”
María Lionza is the queen, mother or inspiration of a spiritualist cult, popular in Venezuela, whose followers who call themselves «marialionceros».
During Holy Week and the Colombus Day (October 12), there are many peregrinations to the Montaña de Sorte, located near Chivacoa, in the state of Yaracuy. Here the devout arrive in order to make all types of requests to María Lionza, that range from curing illnesses, solving sentimental problems, to becoming rich or powerful. In order for the wishes to be granted, believers find a small place in the forest or a bend in the river where they build an altar to invoke her.
A year after the annual peregrination was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, followers of the María Lionza cult return to congregate.
Fotógrafo independiente, con más de diez años de experiencia trabajando para medios como Movistar Arena, Terra Network, Agencia Uno, El Mercurio, Aton Chile, The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Getty Images y Agence France-Presse (AFP). Colaborador en el Australian Open 2016 en Melbourne. Actualmente trabaja como stringer para Agence France-Presse en Venezuela.
An independent photographer, Matias has over 10 years’ experience working for media like Movistar Arena, Terra Network, Agencia Uno, El Mercurio, Aton Chile, The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Getty Images, and Agence France-Presse (AFP). He was a collaborator on the 2016 Australian Open in Melbourne. Currently, he works as stringer for Agence France-Presse in Venezuela.
