Imaginería, devoción y mímesis. Formas de apropiación y organización social en las procesiones de Semana Santa en Tunja, Colombia

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the interaction between sacred imagery and believers in the Holy Week processions in Tunja, a city of colonial origin in central Colombia. The sacred imagery in Tunja and its processional exaltation constitute the faith practices and social organization of the brotherhoods of Nazarenes. These are bearers of a tradition of faith and penitence in which the imagery they carry publicly on their shoulders exalt fulfills a function of representation, identification, and social interaction. The article analyzes the forms and scope of this integral and mimetic relationship between people and images, and comes to consider the meanings of these practices in the processes of faith and social order. To this end, we used ethnographic experience accompanied by semi-structured interviews, following the thread of informal conversations. A systematic monitoring of worship activities was undertaken, taking part in the Holy Week processions organized by the Society of Nazarenes of Tunja in 2019. The work concludes that sacred images identify, communicate, and create practices of memory and affirmation that produce ways of being, maintaining cultural and devotional practices over time. As a result, the Nazarenes gain recognition and social valuation beyond the religious scene.

Keywords

• holy week
• imagery
• processions
• religiosity
• ritual
• sacred images