Exploring the cult of María Lionza and the Calé and Malandra Courts

The present investigation is structured in four reflections referring to the symbolic-sacred in the autochthonous cult of Mar a Lionza with emphasis on the practices of sacralization having as axis a marialionzero spiritual center: "Forces of Caciques" and the denominated "line or Cal and Malandra Court". Among the most relevant objectives of the research project we highlight: a) to become involved as a participant observer in the dynamics of the practices of sacralization of the cult of Maria Lionza through spiritual sessions and in the devotional spaces; b) to discern about the characters and processes of sacralization of the cult through the theoretical contributions of the socio-anthropological studies carried out in Venezuela; c) to characterize some practices of sacralization on the Malandra and Cal Court in a marialionzero spiritual center.