La Niña Blanca or White Lady is how she is known among her followers. The Holy Death is a female entity that has been venerated privatly in Mexico since the 1940s but gained popularity in the 1990s, with the economic crash of 1995. An alternative to the Catholic saints, this Lady protects and serves as a spiritual counselor to those marginalized by the Catholic Church and society. There are over 1500 altars to the White Lady found throughout the country and only ONE temple in which followers can gather, know as The Santuary of the Holy Death International, which it is located in th outskirsts of Mexico City, in the county of Tultitlan. The Sanctuary holds one of the biggest effigy images in Latin America measuring 20 meters. The place is run by Enriqueta Vargas, who took control after her son was murdered in 2008. Coincidentally the most famous shrine in Mexico City, located in the number 12 of Alfareria Street, in the Tepito neighborhood, is also administrated by a woman with the same name Enriqueta, but shes a Romero and she is know as Doña Queta. Believers congregate on the streets to celebrate the monthly mass on the 1st of each month and a special celebration is held on the 1st of November, the anniversary of the Lady.
* This essay was produced alongside writer Askari Mateos. His text "La Niña Blanca" ( in spanish or portuguese) can be read HERE. + Mexico City. 2012
Livia Radwanski ^ Photo + Video
Born in Sao Paulo, Brasil. Livia lives and works in Mexico City as a freelance photographer and filmmaker.