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Texto reemplazado: «<sup>th</sup> century» por «th century»
During our field surveys, we came across many local associations, aimed at helping the dying, the family of the deceased and to offer suffrages for their soul.
These associations have different names and characteristics. The oldest of the ones mentioned here date back to the 16<sup>th</sup> 16th century and are known as ''Cofradías'' (brotherhoods). They are always linked to a Church, to a Shrine or to a Chapel and are made up of groups of the devotees to a saint or to a pious invocation.
It would seem that the associations known as ''Hermandades'' (guilds) came into being later in time, even though they frequently appear under the patronage of a saint. They are not always linked to a church and their fundamental characteristic is to provide reciprocal services within a spirit of fellowship.
