In this photo taken October 12, 2019, people play drums during a procession on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. The gathering in honor of Maria Lionza is hundreds of years old and draws on Catholicism, Afro-Caribbean religion Santeria and indigenous rituals, all set to a pulse of constant drumming. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza smoke cigars during purification rituals and to deflect evil spirits, next to an altar featuring her statue, left, on Sorte Mountain where followers of the goddess gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Many camped in tents among the old-growth forest while dedicating several days to spiritual ceremonies. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, a man with chewing tobacco dripping from his mouth goes into a trance as a grandfather spirit known as a “Chamarrero” is believed to enter his body during an annual gathering of followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza on Sorte Mountain in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Those immersed in the old tradition say it puts them in a trance that allows them to channel spirits and escape injury from otherwise dangerous feats. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, a man's eyes roll backwards as he partakes in a ritual with a spiritual healer known as a “madrina” on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Venezuela is predominantly Roman Catholic, and while the church disapproves of the folk religion, it has long since abandoned its attempts to suppress it. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 11, 2019, a woman lights a cigar at the entrance of Sorte mountain to ask for permission to perform spiritual rituals where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Believers congregated for rituals on the remote mountainside where adherents make a pilgrimage to pay homage to the goddess, seeking spiritual connection and physical healing. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 11, 2019, a man performs the flame dance on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Those immersed in the old tradition say it puts them in a trance that allows them to channel spirits and escape injury from otherwise dangerous feats. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, Juan Carlos Paso sprays water from his mouth on others during a ceremony on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. The cult of the goddess is hundreds of years old and draws on elements of the Afro-Caribbean religion Santeria and indigenous rituals, as well as Catholicism. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 13, 2019, a man and boy lie with their eyes closed amid candles inside a circle, called an oracle, made of white powder during a ritual for prosperity on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Venezuela is predominantly Roman Catholic, whose church disapproves of the folk religion but has long since abandoned its attempts to suppress it. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, a youth lies in water for a cleansing ritual on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Believers congregated for rituals on the remote mountainside where adherents make the pilgrimage to pay homage to the goddess, seeking spiritual connection and physical healing. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, Juan Carlos Paso performs a cleansing ritual on a woman in a pool of water on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Devotees say the number of followers swells as Venezuelans turn for answers to the struggle of daily life outside traditional political system, churches and hospitals. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, a spiritual healer known as a “madrina” starts a ritual on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. While her followers gather on the mountain for weeks at this time of the year, October 12 marks the biggest gathering, coinciding with Indigenous People's Day, known in Latin America as “Dia de la Raza”. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 13, 2019, girl lies surrounded by candles and designs of white powder during a ceremony on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Believers congregated for rituals on the remote mountainside where adherents make an annual pilgrimage to pay homage to the goddess, seeking spiritual connection and physical healing. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 12, 2019, a spiritual guide known as a “madrina” performs a ritual on a man training to become a medium to receive spirits into his body on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. The tradition is hundreds of years old and draws on elements of the Afro-Caribbean religion Santeria and indigenous rituals, as well as Catholicism. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)





In this photo taken October 11, 2019, a woman surrounded by candles and designs drawn on the ground with white powder lies with her eyes closed during a spiritual ceremony on Sorte Mountain where followers of indigenous goddess Maria Lionza gather annually in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. Believers often ask for spiritual healing or protection from witchcraft, or thank the goddess for curing an illness. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)