La Chinita. History of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá. New Granadan Matrix, Maracaibo Reception, and Early Documentary Evidence, 16th-18th Centuries

Discover the fascinating historical journey behind one of the most vibrant religious and cultural phenomena in Latin America. "La Chinita: History of a Devotion" masterfully reconstructs the traceable lineage of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, tracing its transition from a sixteenth-century colonial matrix in New Granada to its deep regional appropriation in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Striking a brilliant balance between faith and academic scrutiny, this work meticulously separates devotional memory from formal archival evidence, shedding new light on the 1712–1718 documentary horizon and the church of San Juan de Dios. Beyond a simple chronicle of miracles, these pages unveil a complex system of social signification where architecture, heritage, music, and collective identity intertwine. It is a compelling invitation for researchers, believers, and history enthusiasts alike to explore how a humble painted wooden panel floating on a lake was transformed into an immortal emblem of Zulian pride and living global heritage.