Resumen

LUIGI, Marlene; ARANGUREN, Jesús  y  MONCADA, José Alí. Maria Lionza´s origin and myth like subjects for the environmental and heritage education in Venezuela. Revista de Investigación [online]. 2008, vol.32, n.63, pp.019-042. ISSN 1010-2914.

This article contains a synthesis of different versions of the María Lionza´s myth and its transformation and consolidation process in cult inside the popular´s believes sistem of the venezuelan people, that is part of the national culture and identity. Likewise, it describes to the characteristics of the cult and the environmental values that are associated to it. These elements are important for the environmental and patrimonial educators, since this allows them to disear educative programs, taking into account the characteristics from the surroundings and the system from values that are within cosmogonia and symbolic meaning of this native goddess, that is icon of the identity of the Venezuelan people.

Palabras clave : María Lionza; myth; environmental education; heritage.