The belives on the asphalt

Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México city

Authors

  • María Ana Portal Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, unidad Iztapalapa, México.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18046/retf.i14.3528

Keywords:

Espacio público, ciudad de méxico, mexico, sacralizacion espacial, sacralización, altares urbanos, urbano, espacio, religión

Abstract

This paper explores how residents of México City appropriate public spaces by transforming local places into sacred sites. This sacred quality is achieved by installing crucifixes, altars and niches for virgins and saints. These symbols of folk religion not only adorn public sites, but also offer protection, serve as mnemonic devices and manage spatial liminality -all this in a chaotic city where public spaces are considered to be almost extinct. These elements --faces, proper names, common religious symbols- mark “anonymous” urban spaces, generating meaning and memory for inhabitants. In this fashion, public spaces become a scenario for projecting personal elements of neighborhood groups

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • María Ana Portal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, unidad Iztapalapa, México.

    Doctora en Antropología. Profesora investigadora del Departamento de Antropología de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, unidad Iztapalapa, México. Dirección electrónica: marianaportal@gmail.com. Fecha de recepción: 10 febrero de 2009.

Downloads

Published

2019-04-13

How to Cite

The belives on the asphalt: Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México city. (2019). Trans-Pasando Fronteras, 14. https://doi.org/10.18046/retf.i14.3528