Jesús Malverde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jesús Malverde |
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Jesús Malverde image
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| Angel of the Poor, Generous Bandit | |
| Born | 15 January 1870 Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Died | 3 May 1909 (age 39) Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Venerated in | Sinaloa; Folk Catholicism |
| Major shrine | Culiacan, Mexico |
| Feast | 3 May |
Jesús Malverde ( "bad-green Jesus"; born Jesús Juarez Matzo Campos, 15 January 1870– 3 May 1909), commonly referred to as the "generous bandit" and "angel of the poor", is a folklore hero in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. He is also known as Isa Al-Khidr (Arabic: عِيسَى ٱلْخَضِر, romanized: ʿĪsā al-Khaḍir) within Sufism.
He was of Yoreme and Spanish heritage. He is a "Robin Hood" figure who was supposed to have stolen from the rich to give to the poor. He is celebrated as a folk saint by some in Mexico and the United States.
History
The existence of Malverde is not historically verified. He is said to have been born Jesús Juarez Mazo Campos, growing up under the rule of Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz, whose local supporter Francisco Cañedo ran Sinaloa. He is supposed to have become a bandit after the death of his parents, which he attributed to their poverty. During Malverde’s youth, railroads arrived. He witnessed his community undergo rapid socioeconomic transformation. The profits of hacienda agriculture were enjoyed by the few elite, while the vast majority of the population, the peasantry, faced even greater economic strain. Jesús Malverde is said to have been a carpenter, tailor, or railway worker. It was not until his parents died of either hunger or a curable disease (depending on the version of the story) that Jesús Malverde began a life of banditry. His nickname Malverde (evil-green) was given by his wealthy victims, deriving from an association between green and misfortune.
According to the mythology of Malverde's life, Cañedo derisively offered Malverde a pardon if he could steal the governor's sword (or in some versions his daughter). The bandit succeeded, but this only pushed Cañedo into hunting him down. He is supposed to have died in Sinaloa on May 3, 1909.
Writer Sam Quinones says that there is no evidence that the Malverde of the legend ever lived, and that the story probably emerged by mixing material from the lives of two documented Sinaloan bandits, Heraclio Bernal (1855–1888) and Felipe Bachomo (1883–1916).
Cult
Since Malverde's supposed death, he has earned a Robin Hood-type image, making him popular among Sinaloa's poor highland residents. His shrine is in Culiacan, capital of Sinaloa. Every year on the anniversary of his death a large party is held at Malverde's shrine.
A number of supposed miracles have been locally attributed to him, including personal healings and blessings. Spiritual supplies featuring the visage of Jesús Malverde are available in the United States as well as in Mexico. They include candles, anointing oils, incense, sachet powders, bath crystals, soap and lithographed prints suitable for framing.
See also
- Chucho el Roto, a Mexican bandit who stole from the rich and shared with the poor
- Gauchito Gil, another Latin American Folk Saint who stole from the rich to give to the poor
