Abstract
IT has been remarked by more than one observer of the population of Mexico that whether account be taken only of the indigenous inhabitants of purely Indian descent, who subscribe to the observances of the Catholic Church, or those of mixed blood be brought into the picture, it includes a large number who habitually, and as a matter of course, take part in ceremonies and rites which are either completely pagan or have been adopted into the local ecclesiastical calendar with no more than a veneer of Christianity, which barely covers and does not disguise their true character. In remarking on such observances, no reference is intended to the beliefs and customs of those Indian peoples of Mexico who are as yet but little affected by European civilization, and of whom there is still a considerable number.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Magic in Mexico. Nature 144, 1033–1036 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/1441033a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1441033a0