Society

Maria Lionza: The Goddess of Springs

Continuing her documentation of religious rites and practices, Spanish photographer Cristina Garcia Rodero documents the people of Venezuela who follow the cult of Maria Lionza

Cristina Garcia Rodero

Cristina Garcia Rodero Lionza cult. Invocation at Saint Juan of Aguas. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Coronation by the Yaracuy river. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero The promise of a Friday saint. Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The first trance. Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The transfer of energy. Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The dagger of liberation. Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. Spiritual development. Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2004. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. Sorcery. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2007. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Spirits in the night. Venezuela. 2008. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. Purification. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2005. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The handing over of the body to the Spirits. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The defeat of Evil. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. Between the heavens and the Earth. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezuela. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. The farewell to Erika the Viking. Sorte mountain, State of Yaracuy, Venezula. 2004. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. Flames against the madness. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezula. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Cristina Garcia Rodero Maria Lionza cult. A collective vigil for strength. Sorte mountain, Yaracuy state, Venezuela. 2006. © Cristina Garcia Rodero | Magnum Photos
Stay in touch
Learn about online and offline exhibitions, photography fairs, gallery events, plus fine print news and activities, on a monthly basis.
Get fortnightly tips and advice articles, find out about the latest workshops, free online events and on-demand courses.
Stay up to date every Thursday with Magnum photographers’ activities, new work, stories published on the Magnum website, and the latest offerings from our shop.