THE ANIMITAS AT THE TEPEHUA OTOMÍ REGION: LIVING PRACTICE AT RISK OF ITS IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT

Abstract

This investigation is centered in the celebration of the Day of the Dead or All Saint's day in a community of indigenous origin far from the big urban centers. The tradition is in honor to theAnimitas(Little Souls)orAntiguas(Antiques) which remain, according to the belief, between the trees and the river of Sierra Alta in San Bartolo Tutotepec in the Otomí Tepehua region in Hidalgo, México. Their cultural roots go back to prehispanic times,where this cult, meant life persisted beyonddeath. With the Spanish conquest of their culture and their religion, is amalgamated a syncretism with an identity and social cohesion of its own against current challenges to the tradition to be passed on as the lack of participation of young people and the processes of globalization.