Temple of Saint Francis of Assisi: Faith, Dance and Syncretism ⛪

This temple is not just a religious building; it is a book in stone where two worlds meet. Located in the heart of the riverbank, it is one of the clearest examples of the syncretism between the Spanish Catholic faith and the Purépecha worldview.

Here, the architecture interprets the indigenous cosmos: elements of nature such as hills, springs, flowers and animals (including the iconic coyote on the facade) coexist with the cross, narrating a faith rooted in the land.

🎭 The Great Celebration: The Saint and The Sultan If you visit Ihuatzio October 4th, you will witness a living tradition. During the patron saint festival, a unique historical event is reenacted: the peaceful encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt (Melek el Kamel) during the Crusades. It is not just a play; it is a ritual dance that involves the whole village, celebrating dialogue over war.

👥 The Heart of the Festival: Cargo Carriers and Uandaris What makes this celebration possible is not money, but the unwavering community organization known as “El Costumbre” (The Custom). Behind the eight days of celebration lie months of hierarchical preparation:

• The Carriers (Captains and Assistants): They are the ones who have the honor (and the responsibility) of taking care of the image of the Saint and financing the festival for a year.

• The Uandaris (Those who have the voice): They are the moral authority. To be a Uandari, one must have previously been a Carguero, speak the Purépecha language, and be in a stable marriage.

  • They ensure that everything is done according to ancestral tradition.

  • The man coordinates the men and the woman (Uandari) guides the women.

It is a perfect social system where experience leads to devotion.

After admiring the living faith in the temple, we recommend exploring the glorious past at the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone, just a few minutes from here.