12 during the national Day of Indigenous Resistance. In 2011, estimates indicated that about 10% to 30% Venezuelan were followers of the cult. At the time, Venezuelan authorities indicated that about 200 thousands followers participated in the traditions, including foreigners coming from the Americas and Europe. In 2011, Wade Glenn, an anthropologist from Tulane University in the United States, estimated that about 60% of Venezuelan population may have participated in the cult of María Lionza at some point. Glenn argues that the conversational aspect of the rituals may have therapeutical effects. Members from all Venezuelan social classes participate in the rituals. In local reports, the rituals have been considered to be linked with the late president of Venezuela Hugo Chávez, yet there is little to no evidence. Chávez himself said he did not take part in it, and some followers of María Lionza have said to support him while others dislike Chávez. Some analysts argue that the decline of political power of the Catholic Church during Chávez, along with the crisis in Venezuela, may have led many Venezuelans to seek for help and join the cult. The hyperinflation in Venezuela that started in 2016 has affected the rituals as many are unable to access the materials necessary to carry out the ceremonies. Traditions and spiritism The followers call themselves Marialionceros and refer María Lionza as the "Queen" (). People go to Sorte mountain seeking for strength, healing and to contact the souls of dead people. During the pilgrimage, the principal shamans and priests of María Lionza come together to pay homage. Many followers wear indigenous costumes and perform a traditional fire walking dance called the "dance of hot coals" (). Several spirits are also worshipped during the rituals alongside Catholic saints and Virgin Mary. María Lionza is one of the main "three powers" (), which also include Guaicaipuro, a legendary indigenous resistance leader of 16th century, and Negro Felipe, a black Afro-American soldier that allegedly participated in the Venezuelan War of Independence. The lower spirits, usually referred as brothers () by the pilgrims, are arranged into 'courts', divided by identity: Indigenous, African, Viking, Liberator. The spirits include farmers, modern criminals and famous historical figures, like Venezuela 19th century liberator Simón Bolívar. The participants cleanse themselves in the muddy rivers to receive the spirits. Shamans take the role of mediums between the pilgrims and the spirits, and usually demand their followers