Religion and Spirituality
Before the invasion of the Spanish, the indigenous people of Oaxaca practiced ritualistic, shamanic religious practices and curanderismo. Therefore, once the Spanish invaded Christianity was spread, forced upon the indigenous people all over Latin America. While there was a struggle in converting, it took years of persuasion to discourage the indigenous people to give up their indigenous practices of pantheon idolatry, shamanistic, and cannibalistic practices of Mesoamerican religion. Christianity was eventually accepted and merged with their indigenous practices.
The social and cultural importance of religion in Oaxaca has merged Catholicism and indigenous practices, this enables the community to maintain its unity. Saints have an important role in their religious practices. There are household and community alters which offerings are left for their patron saint.
The social and cultural importance of religion in Oaxaca has merged Catholicism and indigenous practices, this enables the community to maintain its unity. Saints have an important role in their religious practices. There are household and community alters which offerings are left for their patron saint.