Małgorzata Oleskiewicz-Peralba, author of The Black Madonna in Latin America and Europe: Tradition and Transformation (published by University of New Mexico Press), talks about “The Black Madonna,” a cultural icon of a mother with a dark complexion that blends ancient goddess and female symbols with the Virgin Mary, and is worshipped and adored by millions of people around the world.
What draws so many people to these images?
These images are not just images. They’re imbued with sacred energy. The most popular ones are the black ones or the dark ones. This is especially true in Europe, where the color does not reflect the population.
In Russia the dark complexion is compared to the earth. The moist earth. The female deity that gives birth to everyone. The all encompassing mother. And black earth is the most fertile.
How does the Black Madonna relate to Our Lady of Guadalupe?
The place where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared used to be the worship site where the Aztecs venerated the goddess Tonatzin. So the power was already there. It did not start with the sighting of the Virgin.
How have these images changed over time?
They’ve become independent of religious worship. People who don’t consider themselves to be Catholic have images of the Virgin of Guadalupe in their home. Not everyone who believes in her believes in God or religion.
At the borderline between cultures there is a lot of creativity with the images because of cultural ambiguity and a multiplicity of influences.
Mexican American women artists transform the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to suit their purpose and to reinforce their message. Our Lady of Guadalupe has appeared as a Xicano rights fighter in a painting by Ester Hernandez and Our Lady of Częstochowa was depicted on the cover of the Polish magazine Wprost wearing a gas mask to protest air pollution.
The Black Madonna goes with the times. She is always identified with social struggle.
Why is there a need for the Black Madonna?
People need to feel protected and guided. They need to feel like they have a mother.
* This article originally appeared in Albuquerque Arts.
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