| Roman Catholicism
is by far the dominant religion in Venezuela, and has been
adopted by most indigenous people - only those living in isolated
regions still practice their ancient tribal beliefs. The Protestant
church has a significant presence, and recently has been gaining
some ground, attracting adherents from the Catholic Church.
An unusual and obscure pantheistic sect, known as the Cult
of María Lionza, exists in the northwest and combines
pre-Hispanic indigenous creeds, African voodoo and Christian
religious practices.
Spanish is spoken by almost all Venezuelans,
though some 25 indigenous tongues are spoken by remote tribes.
English is spoken by some people in urban centers.
Visual arts and handicrafts are popular in
Venezuela, but the country's most distinctive cultural outlet
is probably its music, which is an eclectic blend of European,
African and indigenous rhythms. Theater is growing in popularity,
and there is an active literary scene, especially among the
younger generation.
Venezuelan snacks and dishes (referred to
as comida criolla) consist mainly of pancakes, chicken, pork,
beef, soups and stews. Travelers should look out for restaurants
that serve menú del día, a very cheap set meal
consisting of soup and a main course. Local specialities include
empanadas (deep-fried cornmeal turnovers with fillings of
ground meat, cheese, beans or baby shark) and pabellón
criollo (Venezuela's national dish, which consists of shredded
beef, rice, black beans, cheese and fried plantain). |
