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Abstract

This essay describes and analyzes a ritual and a number of narratives associated with a cultural event in Galicia-a region of Spain that remains largely neglected in ethnographic studies. In the village of Vilanova dos Infantes, there is a religious artifact of considerable interest: a small column of clear glass that contains-suspended vertically in its center-a flat, two-sided image of a woman venerated as the Virgin Mary. Called the "Virgin of Crystal," this object is revered as being of divine origin and possessing the power to work miracles; it plays, therefore, a significant role in the performative lives of the people in the community and region.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

33

Issue

1

First Page

9

Last Page

21

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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