Abstract

BAEZ-JORGE, Félix  and  GOMEZ MARTINEZ, Arturo. The equilibrium between heaven and earth: Cosmovision of the nahuas from Chicontepec. Desacatos [online]. 2000, n.5, pp.79-94. ISSN 2448-5144.

The rituals, mythology and thus the cosmovision of the nahuas from Chicontepec show the effects ofthe religious repression that began in the colonial times. The ancient cults and beliefs were identified by the priests as manifestations of the devil, expressions that kept the Indians away from the "real religion". This process of extreme intolerance came together with new imposed devotions, centered on saint patrons. No doubt that the so-called "spiritual conquest" favored the alienation of the Indian culture, inherent in the self-disrespect of communitarian loyalties and an accentuated ambivalence oftheir ethnic identity.