NDLI: Tourism in the Mundo Maya: Inventions and (Mis)Representations of Maya Identities and Heritage

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Magni, Aline Ardren, Traci Hutson, Scott
Copyright Year	2007
Abstract	In this paper we explore how Maya identities have been (mis)represented in the context of heritage tourism across the Mundo Maya and underscore the cultural heterogeneity and historical diversity of Maya speaking people. Our focus is the Yucatán peninsula, where we look at terms used to define social categories and ethnic groups through time. We then examine how tourism can affect notions of self-identify and self-ascription, by presenting our first-hand experience as archaeologists dealing with issues of Maya identity and heritage claims in the context of archaeological tourism development at the sites of Chunchucmil and Yaxuna, Yucatán. We propose the use of a ‘relational approach’ to identify formation processes in contrast to the more common genealogical approach. In addition, we believe that with the help of applied anthropologists archaeologists can be advocates for local communities and mediators among multiple stakeholders in situations where these communities are poised to benefit from tourism.Dans cet article nous explorons comment les identités mayas ont été (mal) interprétées dans le contexte du patrimoine touristique, à travers le monde maya, et nous soulignons l’hétérogénéité culturelle ainsi que la diversité historique des gens qui parle les langues mayas. Nous nous intéressons particulièrement à la péninsule du Yucatán, où nous examinons la terminologie utilisée pour définir les catégories sociales et les groupes ethniques à travers le temps. Nous examinons ensuite comment le tourisme a affecté les notions identitaires et l’image qu’ils ont d’eux-mêmes, en présentant notre expérience de première main comme archéologues interagissant avec les questions de l’identité maya et des revendications du patrimoine dans le contexte du développement touristique aux sites de Chunchucmil et de Yaxuna au Yucatán. Nous proposons une ‘approche relationelle’ pour comprendre les procesus de la formation de l’identité en contraste de l’approche plus commune de la généalogie. En outre, nous croyons qu’avec l’aide des anthropologues appliqués, les archéologues peuvent être des défenseurs des communautés locales et des médiateurs, en ce qui concerne les enjeux multiples impliquant des situations où ces communautés ont la possibilité de tirer bénéfice du tourisme.En esta artículo exploramos la manera en la cual las identidades mayas han sido (mal)interpretadas en el contexto del turismo en sitios de patrimonio cultural a través del Mundo Maya y enfatizamos la heterogeneidad cultural y la diversidad histórica de los pueblos que hablan Maya. Estamos interesados en particular en la península de Yucatán, donde investigamos los términos usados para definir categorías sociales y grupos étnicos a través del tiempo. Luego examinamos como el turismo afecta las nociones de identidad propia y adscripción propia, presentando nuestra experiencia de primera mano como arqueólogos que tratan asuntos de identidad Maya y reclamos de patrimonio en el contexto del desarrollo de turismo arqueológico en los sitios de Chunchucmil y Yaxuna, Yucatán. Proponemos el uso del ‘enfoque relacional’ para los procesos de formación de identidad en contraste con el mas comúnmente usado enfoque genealógico. Además, creemos que los arqueólogos/as con la asistencia de los/las antropólogos/as aplicados/as pueden ser los defensores de las comunidades locales y mediadores entre múltiples interesados en situaciones en las que esas comunidades tienen que poner en la balanza los beneficios del turismo.
Starting Page	353
Ending Page	383
Page Count	31
File Format	PDF
ISSN	15558622
Journal	Archaeologies
Volume Number	3
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	19353987
Language	English
Publisher	Springer US
Publisher Date	2007-10-16
Publisher Place	Boston
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Maya identities Heritage Representation Tourism Yucatán Cultural Heritage Anthropology Archaeology
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Archeology (arts and humanities)

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