Cultura material y religiosidad popular en el seno familiar castellano del siglo XVIII

Abstract

This paper highlights two fundamental closely connected developments of the Eighteenth century in Castile, namely: that many collective religious practices became deeply rooted in the family household; also, that a relationship took shape between domestic experiences and the outer forms of the people's daily existence. Thus the reiteration of sacralized burial rites and the consumption of clothing are analysed, as well as the effect of both on popular culture practices. In the everyday life of semi-Enlightened Castile, the preservation of external signs of religiousness was on an equal footing with the evolution of material culture. It was a matter of attaining the necessary mixing of spiritual and worldly cares so as to attain comfortable, earthly happiness along with the much longed-for salvation. "Nada de lo divino era extraño; todo era religión", but no less true was the motto: "viva la industria de la persona".