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‘Only death can protect us’: How the folk saint La Santa Muerte reflects violence in Mexico

  • Written by Myriam Lamrani, Associate Researcher, Department of Anthropology, Harvard University
‘Only death can protect us’: How the folk saint La Santa Muerte reflects violence in MexicoA devotee carrying his daughter rests his hand on the glass to an altar to La Santa Muerte in Tepito in Mexico City. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

When a life-size skeleton dressed like the Grim Reaper first appeared on a street altar in Tepito, Mexico City, in 2001, many passersby instinctively crossed themselves. The figure was La Santa Muerte...

Read more: ‘Only death can protect us’: How the folk saint La Santa Muerte reflects violence in Mexico

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