223 of 234Peru 2011

The "Pacha Mamma" mentioned at the bottom is Pachamama, the life-giving all-mother that appears in many South American belief systems; in which she is a counterpoint to the "Creator God". When the Catholics came, this setup was mapped onto the Virgin Mary as Pachamama and the Christian God as the creator God. Already one can note the conspicuous absence of one Christian figure in this setup: Jesus. It was in fact quite surprising to me how big a part Mary plays in everyday faith in Peru. There are festivals to the Holy Virgin and she appears in many shapes in churches and cathedrals, often more prominently than Jesus. Perhaps this is the old goddess Pachamama elbowing others out of her way to stand, front and center, in a new shape, on the new stage afforded her by Christianity when the prominence given to her was, intentionally or unintentionally, transferred to Mary?

From: Lima Street Art | Albums: Barranco, Lima, Miraflores, Plaza San Martin, Street Art