Religious expressions and Bolivian immigrants’ rituals in Puerto Madryn, Chubut

Abstract

The spatial dimension of the reflections about the sacred and the funeral practice as a cultural heritage of the peoples have continually been studied since the 20th century by Geography. The immigrants travel with their cultural background manifested in their symbolic and ideological expressions forming the cultural heritage of the people. The popular religiosity is an integral part of the everyday life since it promotes the intragenerational ethnic identity and
creates new territorialities. The city of Puerto Madryn since 1970 is the host of a migration process formed by Bolivian families. Among the Bolivian religious expressions, it is identified the Day of the Dead celebrated on November 2nd. This celebration involves the private space of houses and the public space of the Municipal Cemetery and the Paso de los Libres street, nearby the graveyard.
The celebration consists in remembering and honor ancestors. It is an intimate gathering of people with their dead family members and a communion moment to honor the dead. The funeral ceremonies held in the Bolivian community reproduce uses, customs and traditions of their country of origin.