Abstract

LOPEZ-GOMEZ, José Alfonso et al. Cultural Importance of Entomofauna in a Tzeltal-Maya Community in Chiapas, Mexico. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2017, vol.50, pp.183-218. ISSN 0185-2574.  https://doi.org/10.19130/iifl.ecm.2017.50.830.

This document presents the results of a research centered on insects of cultural importance, conducted in the Oxchuc municipality of Chiapas. Ethnographic methodology was used, which included participant observation, field register and semi structured interviews to 28 people in total. Local ethno-clasification is described, in special the use of the ch'in chanetik category to include arthropods and annelids. Forty-one species of culturally important insects were registered and grouped into several categories: anthropo-entomophagy, entomotherapy, entomolatry, recreational, medical, and family lineage. We concluded that one species of ch'in chanetik may belong to more than one cultural importance category, which is influenced by the material and symbolic uses given to them by the residents of the area.

Keywords : etnoenthomology; etnobiology; Tseltal region; Oxchuc; Chiapas.