Santi Donaire

Photographer / Videographer / Visual Storyteller / Journalist
 
Sorte, the sacred mountain
Public Project
Sorte, the sacred mountain
Copyright Santi Donaire 2024
Updated Sep 2021
Location Venezuela
Topics Folklore, Latinamerica, Sorte, Spiritualism, Venezuela
Sorte, the sacred mountain 

In the center of the Venezuelan state of Yaracuy, in a semi-jungle enclave, rises the mountain of Sorte. Every year around October 12, hundreds of people gather there to venerate Maria Lionza, goddess of Venezuelan folklore, in what is the largest meeting of spiritualists in the world. Spiritualists, santeros and all kinds of people, celebrate healing rituals in her honor in which they offer their bodies to the spirits. They form circles around dozens of candles while the smoke of cigars, the liqueurs and the incessant sound of drums become essential elements to reach the trance. Screams, moans and prayers of people trying to heal their souls, be cured of disease or ask for prosperity for their families,are the sounds emitted by the mountain of Sorte during those days of October.
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Sorte, the sacred mountain  by Santi Donaire
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