Wandering through Queens on Friday night, I came across a botánica, a fascinating small store of a type that I had never seen before. Wikipedia has a useful description here, and although as John knows all too well, Wikipedia is not always (ever?) the most reliable source of information, judging by what I saw and heard (I was with a Latin American friend who had a chat with the store’s primarily spanish-speaking proprietor), it’ll do here.
In any event, as an example of syncretic religion at work, this little shop (and what it was selling) took some beating. In addition it was a useful reminder, stripped off much of the usual intellectual flummery, of the universal fears and beliefs that lie at the heart of almost all religion – and do so much to explain its continuing appeal. As for me, materialist to the end, I bought a candle dedicated to Juan del Dinero, a benevolent spirit (some prefer the euphemism ‘folk saint’) known for his ability to deliver riches. Here’s hoping.
Hey, you never know.
Interesting — I see stores advertising “botanicas” in Los Angeles all the time, I figured it was herbal medicine but never really made the connection with religious products. Although locally I’ve seen it posted on signs as “Botanicos”, which is odd that they would scramble the gender on the noun.
Oh well, some people have the Christian book store, some people have the Botanica. Tomayto, tomahto.
Any luck yet with the dinero? It there’s a candle for tennis I’d be willing to take a chance on it, too.