Abstract

SIGUENZA-OROZCO, Salvador. The virtues of remembrance: a close-up into the collective memories in Mexico. Econ. soc. territ [online]. 2008, vol.8, n.28, pp.965-980. ISSN 2448-6183.

In this paper we consider memory as a collective process with social and cultural implications. We analyse the collective memories in Mexico by classifying them into two categories: traditional and civic. The former is attributed to indigenous people and the latter is spread and reproduced by the construction process of the national state. Although it is true that this separation can be somewhat arbitrary, in everyday life they are linked together and show certain equivalences as they are cultural processes that make use of different mechanisms for their reproduction. We have taken into account the experiences of indigenous leaders and authorities that have pondered the importance of their local ways of organisation. We consider that it is important to improve our knowledge of these processes in order to contribute to the respect of both the processes themselves and the people that assume them.

Keywords : collective memory; traditional memory; civic memory; education; indigenous people.