Las oraciones populares de tradición infantil

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze traditional children’s prayers, that is, compositions that invoke saints or sacred historical characters, to either request favours, or ask for help, forgiveness, custody, or direction. Children used to memorize and practice such prayers, and they were transmitted orally from generation to generation. The author tries to define whether they belong to the world of children or that of tradition, considering as well that often there are elements in which the traditional origin is unclear. Based on recent research, he shows that these prayers are disappearing, perhaps faster than compositions that belong to other types of children’s folksongs.