Feeling of economic power in the patron saint festivities of an Andin community

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2025.32.20852

Keywords:

Andes, religion, patronal festival, economic power, peasant, celebration

Abstract

The work consists of exploring the manifestations of economic power in the patron saint festivals of an Andean community in Peru, focusing on how community members display their wealth through festive celebrations. It analyzes the social, cultural, and economic patterns that are manifested in the festival, with particular attention to the role of mayordomos (festival organizers) and donations as a way of demonstrating economic status. The research is based on a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews and participant observation to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of the community members. The results show that, although the community does not have a formally structured economy, the patron saint festival is a key space for displaying purchasing power, completely overshadowing Christian faith. The study concludes that the celebration of patron saint festivals reflects the tensions between ancestral traditions and new forms of economic power disguised as faith, generating competition in the celebrations and mayordomías.

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Author Biographies

  • Edgar Gutiérrez-Gómez, Huanta National Autonomous University

    Doctor en Ciencias de la Educación y Filosofía, docente principal; Escuela de Administración de Turismo Sostenible y Hotelería. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta, Ayacucho-Perú

  • Sonia Beatriz Munaris-Parco, Institución Educativa Nuestra Señora de Fátima

    Magíster em Administración Educativa. Área de Ciencias Sociales; Colegio Nacional Nuestra Señora de Fátima, Ayacucho-Perú

  • Solón Dante Carhuallanqui-Ibarra , Huanta National Autonomous University

    Doctor en Ciencias Ambientales y Desarrollo Sostenible; Escuela de Ingeniería y Gestión Ambiental. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta, Ayacucho-Perú

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Prometeica v.32

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2025-11-20

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Vol. 32 (2025): Prometeica - v 32 (03/2025 - 12/2025)

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Copyright (c) 2025 Edgar Gutiérrez-Gómez, Sonia Beatriz Munaris-Parco, Solón Dante Carhuallanqui-Ibarra

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Received 2025-07-23
Accepted 2025-11-14
Published 2025-11-20

How to Cite

Gutiérrez-Gómez, E., Munaris-Parco, S. B., & Carhuallanqui-Ibarra , S. D. . (2025). Feeling of economic power in the patron saint festivities of an Andin community. Prometeica - Journal of Philosophy and Science, 32, e20852 (1-13). https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2025.32.20852