According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, transculturation is the process of cultural transformation marked by the influx of new culture elements an d the loss or alteration of exisiting ones. Therefore, when Spain and Portugal conquered Latin America and forcibly applied their new rules and regulations among the people, the indigenous culture and Spanish culture were mixed and as a result transculturation occured, as in the example of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Another example of transculturation in Latin American history is the architecture that took on a more European style.
Nahuatl (or Aztec) Architecture
Before the conquest, Latin American arcitecture was simple, yet intricate due to the systematic placement of stones to create towers, pyramids, and walls. For example, the Aztec pyramids were used as religious centers, as seen in the picture to the right. Housing varied by how wealthy the Aztec family was, but mainly consisted of thick stone walls plastered together with soil and straw roofs.
Once the Spanish took control and used the natives to build better housing for the conquistadors, as well as churches and other edifices, the style of architecture was similar to the style found in Spain and Portugal. Even today, these European influences can be seen in Latin American architecure and in North American architecure with the movement style of Spanish Colonial Revival.
Colonial town of Diamantina, Brazil