Resumen

MARTINEZ AGUILAR, José Manuel. The Confraternities of Tzintzuntzan in New Spain, Properties and Spaces of Devotion. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2017, vol.38, n.151, pp.11-57. ISSN 2448-7554.  https://doi.org/10.24901/rehs.v38i151.327.

This paper explains how the confraternities founded in Tzintzuntzan during the colonial era played an important role in consolidating the Catholic religion, in fostering social participation for common ends, in assisting the needy, and in organizing festivities. The income that the confraternities generated through contributions by their members and the profits from the administration of commonly-held properties, such as land and cattle, also allowed them to cover some parochial expenses, build or rebuild their own chapels, and acquire costly objects and ornaments, although episcopal visitors always heard that those religious organizations were insolvent. The study of the confraternities in this town of the lake region of Michoacán sheds new light on their social and symbolic history in colonial times. The study is based on primary documentary sources complemented by specialized studies and Franciscan chronicles.

Palabras llave : Indian hospitals; confraternities; chapels; Third Order; Holy Burial; religious practices.