Tourism, fiction and soft power in Pueblos Mágicos of Mexico

Abstract

This paper examines power structures, asymmetries in civic participation, and the public legitimization of politicians through tourism and religious practices, as well as whether religious festivals and brotherhoods are linked to power transfers via tourism in the region of Nombre de Dios in Durango, México. Since the 16th century, power relations have been shaped by cultural syncretism between Spaniards and indigenous peoples through festivals, with modes of domination based on religious structures known as brotherhoods and sisterhoods. The study’s methodology is qualitative and consists of a review of historical archives, direct observation, and open interviews with key stakeholders during the 2023 Holy Week festivities, which were organized by municipal political authorities and led by the brotherhoods and sisterhoods. An analysis is presented along three lines: 1) the origins and power structures of the festival in the 16th century, 2) the brotherhoods and sisterhoods and the transfer of power from the 16th century to the 21st century, and 3) the public legitimization of politicians through tourism. According to the results, religious festivals play a substantial role in shaping the power structures of Nombre de Dios by serving as tourist attractions and validating authoritarian political regimes.