VENEZUELAN HERITAGE
Cultural Heritage
This section covers the customs, dances, songs and all the cultural demonstrations of a region or country. In Venezuela, each region has their own dances, like that of Saint Benedict (Trujillo, Mérida and Zulia), the Devils of Yare (Miranda) and the Standing of Baby Jesus (Mérida). Among the Venezuelan crafts, we find clay pots, peasant tapestries, baskets of the Amazon natives, among others.
Saint Benedict/San Benito
Saint Benedict is celebrated with enthusiasm and great collective participation in the western states: Zulia, Trujillo and Mérida. The many devout of that region believe he has many healing powers and also consider him protector of the crops and businesses. The style of the popular festivals of Saint Benedict varies according by town. For example, the Zulians, with their Venezuelan “chimbangueles” drums, they are very greatly animated and excited; but the Andeans express their devotion to Saint Benedict with reserved and solemn way.
In Mucuchies, in the State of Mérida, the festivity of Saint Benedict stands apart from others with the organization of an army of men, women and children that symbolize the combative and warrior spirit of the citizens of Mucuchies. It is a style of celebrating that, according to the oral history, tries to recall the saving apparition of the saint during a battle of the Liberator Army, which led to the victory of the settlers of Mucuchies. Because of this every year on December 29, the gunners and followers of Saint Benedict — with their faces painted of black — come from the settlements of Mocao, Mucumpate, Misintá and Apartaderos, among others. They dress themselves in uniform and carry old firearms. It is a celebration where they mix local history facts with religious elements; the gunpowder has become the central symbol of the tribute to Saint Benedict.
The Devil Dancers of Yare/ Los Diablos Danzantes de Yare
This dance has its roots in Medieval Europe, from traditions that wanted to remind the townspeople how evil was won over by the cross. A big parade of giants, monsters and little devils ran away when the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist appeared. Serpent dragons that symbolize the conquering over evil join the parade of military orders, which represent civil institutions, and the brotherhoods of different guilds with their banners also participate in the parade.
In Venezuela, this tradition began in colonial times. In 1619, comedies and mimes were acted out for the enjoyment of neighbors, along with dances of mulatto girls and enslaved natives. Women continued to participate in these dances until 1687; at that time, the Bishop Diego de Baños Sotomayor did not allow them from participating in the “Synodal Constitutions of the Bishopric of Venezuela.” This bishop insisted that the dances of mulatto, black and native women disrupted and interfered with the devotion of believers. Faith and devotion were established by the Church. Priests and parsons took great care to create Brotherhoods of the Most Holy Sacrament in their respective towns and parishes so that followers could come together to worship.
The Devil Dancers vary and take different names and customs in several regions of Venezuela. For example, in the state Miranda, they are called the Devils of Yare. Currently the customs and traditions are directly associated and maintained by each brotherhoods, with rules, beliefs, rites and proper music; and colored suits in most cases. This dance also expresses the African roots and syncretisms that the code of the Church could not take away. The memories and the history gathered over time through slavery in the plantations, comes to life with clarity in the Devils of Chuao, Ocumare and Yare. Other more recent histories injects itself in the devils of Turiamo and Naiguatá. In the first set of the Devil Dancers, we see the loss of land come to life; in the second, the proximity to the urbanizing processes.
Standing of Baby Jesus/ Paradura del Niño
One of the symbolic traditions of the Andean Venezuelans is the Standing of Baby Jesus, a celebration that is carried out in the days after Christmas Eve (December 24). This is especially celebrated during the month of January until February 2, the day of “La Candelaria.”
This tradition of Catholic origin celebrates that baby Jesus can now symbolically stand. Usually, it is followed by a promise offered to Baby Jesus or by simple adoration of his figure. The ritual consists of “standing” the baby boy up from the manger and to walk him down the aisle, with the help of one or more pairs of godfathers, a “rezandero,” musicians, singers, devout and invited persons in general.
The music plays a role of first order. Usually the songs, harmonized by two voices, and are accompanied with chord instruments like the violin and the guitar. Among the songs in fashion is that of couplets, love and tenths for the mystical moments, and that of Christmas bonuses and binges for the walk itself.
Today, the celebration of the “Standing” of Baby Jesus has gone beyond the Andean scene and has spread out to different cities of the country. This it mainly because of how attached the Andeans are to this tradition, which they practice and share everywhere they emigrate or move to; and it is also because of how many other people in other regions have accepted this custom, and made it a part of their yearly tradition.
Artistic Heritage
The artistic heritage of Venezuela varies greatly. Architectural works, sculptures, paintings and musical compositions of national artists have left their mark in the cultural history of the country and of the world.
Once the Constitution of 1999 was established, the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has put its energies into promoting the inclusion of local communities and artists in the development of Venezuela’s cultural heritage. For example, the “Corazon Adentro” Cultural Mission (Create a link to “Corazon Adentro” Cultural Mission: http://www.misioncultura.gob.ve/) has taken hundreds of art teachers, methodologists and artists to the poorest places of Venezuela.
Also, the Cultural Community Network (Create link to http://www.ministeriodelacultura.gob.ve/index.php?Itemid=166&id=1358&option=com_content&task=view) has deepened the links between the Government and the community in the cultural area.
To know more than the Venezuelan Cultural System, visit the page of the Ministry of Popular Power for Culture.
National Parks/Natural Heritage
Forests
Henry Pittier Park is found in the state of Aragua. It is the oldest national park in the country. It was named after Swiss Botanist Henry Pittier, who created the system of national parks in Venezuela. The fauna or wildlife that lives in the park is very rich and diverse. So far, 520 different species or types of birds have been registered, which equals 7% of the birds in the entire world! It is a forest full of clouds that is very, very beautiful.
Mountains
The Avila National Park is the pride of all who live in Caracas. The Avila gives the eyes of all Caracas residents a nice rest: It is a natural wall that separates Caracas from the coast. It has so many different waterfalls and streams, and is the best place to go for nice, long walks or short adventures. Going up to the Avila by any one of its roads is definitely the best way to let go of stress.
Tepuyes
Canaima is located in the state Bolivar and you can only get there by air. The magnificent National Park is made up of the Canaima Lagoon, impressive waterfalls and a spectacular jungle landscape. This National Park also features Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. Its waters drop 980 meters (as high as a 245-foot building), from the highest mountain to the jungle’s bottom; 800 of those meters fall free.
Snow-Covered Peaks
The Sierra Nevada National Park is in the state Mérida. It is nestled in the heart of the Mountain Range of the Andes, and occupies 276,446 hectares. There you can find the highest peaks of Venezuela, with the Bolivar Peak (5,007 m), the Humboldt Peaks (4,920 m), Bondpland (4,942 m), the Seashell (4,920 m), the Bull (4,755 m) and the Lion (4,740 m), with the long and highest cable railway of the world and a cloudy jungle of amazing beauty.
Beaches
The National Archipelago Park “Los Roques” (the Rocks) is in the Caribbean Sea, in front of the central coast of Venezuela. You can get to it by plane or by boat. It was established in 1972 with its swarm of islands, small islands and keys. It is a paradise of light and color with tranquil waves, turquoise-blue seas and sandy-white beaches.
Desert
The Coro Dunes National Park is found in the Falcon State. It was founded in February 6, 1974. It occupies 91,280 hectares along the isthmus of the dunes. The surface of these mountains of sand is always exposed to the wind, which causes it to constantly change its shape. The park has dunes with an average height of 20 meters above sea level.
Mangrove Swamps
Restinga (Shoal) Lagoon National Park is located in the state of New Sparta. From “Boca de Rio” to the population of “El Saco” The Bag, to the north of the peninsula, you can travel all along the western coast. Its environment has different characteristics: dry lands, beaches, lagoon-like zones and marine zones. Its 10,700 hectares, mangrove swamps and birds are plenty.
