Prácticas culturales discordantes en torno al Wahil Kol en Campeche, expresión cultural en proceso de activación patrimonial

• Main Authors: Laura Huicochea Gómez, Marco A. Carvajal Correa
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Centro de Estudios Mexicanos y Centroamericanos 2018-06-01
• Series: Trace
• Subjects: Wahil kol; cultural heritage; conservation; threats; Mayas of Campeche
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/trace/3280

Differences in the perception and cultural practice among Mayan inhabitants of Ich Ek, Campeche, about the Wahil kol, an agricultural ceremony, shows that cultural heritage might be in a process of resistance. This is due to a social dynamic of tension, which goes from indifference or rejection, to interest, enthusiasm and concern for its reinterpretation. The diversity of points of view, rather than being evidence of a threat to heritage, could help to protect it. We suggest that the intangible heritage should be recognised as the “cultural expression in the process of patrimonial activation”. This would be explained through the analysis of contradictions and diversity of opinions, the personalized induction of cultural practices and the political, social and economic context which accompanies traditional elements of culture, thus incentivising or reactivating social interaction dynamics within ritual activities.