Abstract

NAHUAT CERVERA, Pedro E. et al. Traditional Knowledge and Uses of Wild Vertebrates in the Maya Community of Zavala, Municipality of Sotuta, Yucatan, Mexico. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2021, vol.57, pp.275-304.  Epub Mar 26, 2021. ISSN 0185-2574.  https://doi.org/10.19130/iifl.ecm.57.2021.18660.

The relationship between Mexican ethnic groups and wildlife is known by its use for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Particularly, in the Maya culture ornamental and ceremonial uses have been attributed to the fauna. Similarly, different beliefs, stories and legends have been developed around it. The studies conducted to document these relationships in the state of Yucatan are scarce; therefore this work was raised to determine the uses and beliefs of the wildlife in the Maya town of Zavala. 174 semi-structured interviews were conducted among men and women of different ages. The significant species were then divided into seven categories of use: food, medicine, pets, ornamental, ceremonial, mythical, and ominous. 54 species related with the worldview of the residents were identified, and divided into three classes, 20 orders, 38 families, and 54 genera. The birds were the most represented with 30 species, followed by Mammalia class with 19, and Reptilia with 5. Mammals were the group with the highest general use index. With this work, it was concluded that the inhabitants of Zavala preserve in their daily activities the ancestral uses and knowledge of the wildlife. Likewise, the information collected contributes to the knowledge of ethnozoology in Yucatán.

Keywords : Ethnobiology; Ethnozoology; Maya culture; zoogenetic resources; uses.

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