The People
Spanish is commonly referred to as the heart language throughout the Latin
American community. However, in Venezuela and many other South American countries,
the language is referred to as "Castellano". A derivative of the mother tongue,
Spanish, Castellano has it's own personal style and vocabulary, especially in
Venezuela. Castellano is the heart language in the Central Coast Region through
which families communicate their heritage and hopes for the future. Families,
both nuclear and extended living in close proximity, provide identity and a
place of belo
nging.
Family structure continues to be matriarchal or mother oriented even though
upwards of seventy-five percent of the families do have a husband or father
figure living in the home. Strongly Catholic due to heritage, the people of
the region still maintain that marriage is somewhat important but cohabitation
is less expensive and easier. As a result, cohabitation becomes the norm. Culturally,
the commitment by a man to his family has been very weak, which in many cases
has created a family primarily existing of a mother with children living with
her parents.
Religious expression is freely exercised among these easy-going people. Historically, this coastal region was one of the first areas to be explored by Spanish conquistadors and receive fleeing slaves from various Caribbean islands. Hence, there is a mixture of Catholicism along with island practices. Catholicism is the expressed religion, reporting a 90% or more of the population as Catholics. These coastal region people have received it fully only to sincretize, or add, to these customs with their own indigenous and island practice, such as voodoo. They see no conflict in mixing the various beliefs.
Culture activities are very prevalent along the coastal region. Festivals, which often incorporate or originate from a religious origin, are celebrated through the year. "The Dance of the Devil" is observed in Naiguatá with the purpose of warding off the involvement of evil spirits. Mask of marine animals are used along with wearing crucifixes, and carry of hand crosses which have been blessed. This is one of the few festivals that the women are allowed to dress up and take a very active role. Throughout the day's events, houses and businesses are visited. In the evenings, processionals continue with the help of a priest in going to 6 different altars.
Life has continued very much the same for many years until the disaster of December 1999 in which tons of mud, rocks and water flowed down. Life changed dramatically as whole communities, families and businesses were washed out to the sea. These people have questioned, "Why would God allow this to happen?" and, "What have we done to deserve this?". In the midst of trying to restore order to their life, a loss of faith in the government and church has occurred. Those cultural and traditional events have continued but lack the significance that they once had in the lives of the coastal region people. These people are looking for a different anchor or stronghold in which to put their hope for the future. Many have found that hope in Jesus Christ, but please pray for the thousands of others who have yet to have an encounter with Jesus Christ.
