History of María Lionza in Timeline

María Lionza is a central figure in a syncretic religious movement in Venezuela that blends African, indigenous, and Catholic beliefs. Revered as a goddess of nature, love, peace, and harmony, her cult gained prominence in the 20th century and has followers across Venezuelan society. A monumental statue in Caracas honors her, and the Cerro María Lionza Natural Monument, a site of pilgrimage, bears her name.

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Full Timeline Legacy & Impact

1951: Monument of María Lionza created

In 1951, Venezuelan sculptor Alejandro Colina created an iconic monument of María Lionza for the Francisco Fajardo Highway in Caracas. The statue portrays her as a muscular, naked woman riding a tapir, holding a female pelvis aloft.

1951: Statue Created for Bolivarian Games

In 1951, a statue of María Lionza was made for the Bolivarian Games, intended to sit outside the Central University of Venezuela's Olympic Stadium. During the event, the Olympic flame was held in the pelvis at the top of the statue.

1953: Statue Moved to Highway

In 1953, the statue of María Lionza was moved to the highway. The university and Marcos Pérez Jiménez, who commissioned the statue, were concerned that the accessible campus location would allow devotees to gather and spread their devotion.

1978: Salsa Song Dedicated to Maria Lionza

In 1978, Rubén Blades and Willie Colón released the salsa song "María Lionza" on their album Siembra, dedicating it to the Venezuelan deity.

2004: Original Statue Moved

In 2004, the original statue of María Lionza was moved to a university warehouse and replaced with a new casting.

2006: Venezuelan TV film

In 2006, former Miss Venezuela Ruddy Rodríguez starred in María Lionza, a Venezuelan TV film.

2009: "María Lionza" Published

In 2009, New Weird America musician Devendra Banhart composed "María Lionza", and published it in his album What Will We Be.

2011: Followers of the cult of Maria Lionza

In 2011, estimates suggested that 10% to 30% of Venezuelans were followers of the María Lionza cult. Venezuelan authorities reported about 200,000 participants, including foreigners. Wade Glenn, an anthropologist, estimated that 60% of Venezuelans may have participated in the cult at some point, suggesting possible therapeutic effects from the rituals.

2016: Hyperinflation impacts rituals

In 2016, hyperinflation in Venezuela began affecting the rituals of the María Lionza cult, as many followers were unable to afford the materials needed for ceremonies.

2021: Arca pays homage to the goddess

In 2021, Venezuelan singer Arca paid homage to María Lionza in her music video Prada / Rakata.

October 2022: Statue Extracted

In October 2022, the statue of María Lionza was extracted without permission from the authorities from the warehouse and transported to the Sorte mountain before the yearly pilgrimage.