The Archangel’s butler. Education and religious syncretism in the Otomíes indigenous

Abstract

The aim of the research we present in this article, is to analyze the pedagogical and social role that an important person of the Ñäñho indigenous community -commonly known as Otomí- plays for his people. Don Erasmo Luna is named “butler”, who is responsible for preserving and directing the complex ceremonies related to the cult of the Saint Michael the Archangel, a sort of “Christianized revision” of pre-Hispanic divinity, protector of the village of San Miguel Tolimán, in México.
The epistemological framework is based on hermeneutics, therefore, refers to an interpretative pedagogy. The methodology is qualitative, supports the relationship in the study of phenomena; as a normative epistemology. Bibliographic sources represent an anthropological framework and have been studied with pedagogical intent.
Expected results. From the outcomes of this research we expect: a widespread knowledge of the cultural complexity of Otomíes, a minority at risk of marginality; an enhancement of Otomí identity; the opportunity to provide a contribution to the debate on interculturality in its epistemological guidelines.