meet Saint Death

[ArmsMerchant]

Mexican Catholicism is interesting and idiosyncratic , since it incorporates Caribbean paganism and Central American paganism. The latest manifestation comes from a village known as Santa Maria Cuautepec, some hundred miles north of Mexico City.

It seems they have a church of death there--they worship Santa Muerte--i.e., Saint Death. It was sort of an underground cult thing, led by the young guy who refuses to give his given name or age--goes by Godfather Endoque and looks like across betwen Antonio Banderas and Rasputin.

Anyway, things were quiet--they had small statues of Saint Death, and people would leave offerings of tequila, cigs, and fruit--hoping for him to intercede in matters relating to health or wealth. Then they erected a 75 foot tall statue of death--a skeleton shrouded in black--and the neighbors are freaking. It isn't exactly a spiffy neighborhood--the statue shares space with a bunch of taco stands, car repair shops, sleazy titty bars, and a child day care center--but the city government has ordered it to be dismantled, citing code violations.

Kids at the center cry when they see the thing, other kids are having nightmares, and dogs now howl mysteriously at night, according to local residents.

Endoque says that "a very strong explosion of violence" will ensure if the statue is touched.