The cultural-natural heritage of four historic towns in Mérida through the eyes of their inhabitants

Abstract

In the current debate on historical, cultural and natural heritage, it is important to consider whether the concepts currently used as part of the theoretical framework on heritage have any meaning for today's society, especially for indigenous peoples who have to survive day after day among the urbanizing and globalizing processes that surround them. In this sense, this article aims to analyze how the inhabitants of four historic towns understand the concepts of "historical monument", "historical site", "cultural heritage", "natural heritage" and "intangible heritage" based on their own worldview and the current problems of their settlements. The method used has a qualitative approach and is based on a series of in-depth structured interviews conducted with inhabitants of six indigenous towns in the municipality of Mérida, Yucatán, as well as work with focus groups in these localities. Of these towns, two are under the onslaught of a voracious conurbation and real estate speculation. The other two are isolated from modernity in the middle of the low jungle. The results of the fieldwork show that while for some their cultural heritage is understood as their last identity reference in the face of the real estate complexes that suffocate their towns, for others it is seen as the only opportunity to bring tourism, and with it the long-awaited presence of "Western progress", to their communities.