Cultural Diversity and Heritage in Latin America
Latin American Realities
When looking at Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, we see a dominance of variable and heterogeneous factors:
- Diverse Religions: Catholicism, imposed by Iberian conquerors, coexists with a wide variety of African-influenced worship.
- Multiple Languages: Numerous analyses identify a multiplicity of languages, with Mason distinguishing 82 languages across 11 or 12 groups.
- Complex Ethnic and Cultural Mosaic: Shaped by European, African, and Amerindian groups, resulting in a blend of physical and cultural traits.
- Socio-Economic Disparities: Varying levels of development and dependence on developed capitalist countries.
The pre-Columbian American population was estimated between 80 and 100 million, encompassing:
- Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers: Groups living off large mammals, later joined by hunting groups.
- Tropical Planters: Cannibalistic groups practicing shifting cultivation in tropical forests, harvesting tubers.
- Sedentary Farmers: Based on extensive agriculture.
- Agrarian Civilizations: Developed in Mesoamerica, Yucatan, and the Central Andes.
This classification highlights the complexity of pre-conquest cultures.
Latin America: A Contested Identity
The term “Latin America” is often used to describe the continent’s geographic, political, cultural, ethnic, and economic characteristics. However, it privileges European culture and denies the influence of other groups.
Hegemonic and Subordinate Cultures
Inter-ethnic relations in Latin America involve an asymmetrical confrontation between groups. This results in a social hierarchy based on political and economic power.
- An ethnic group with technology, resources, and military dominance subjugates other groups (Amerindians, Africans, and castes).
- By the late 16th century, indigenous populations formed an exploited labor stratum.
- Differences in the social value of popular and elite culture add to the discrimination caused by class exploitation.
Cultural Discrimination: Devaluing indigenous practices, imposing linguistic homogenization, religion, and values. The burning of Mayan codices and destruction of temples exemplify this.
Indigenous populations vary in density across Latin American countries. Shared features of indigenous cultures include:
- Community-based living.
- Connection with nature.
- Sustainable resource use.
- Corn, pumpkin, vegetable, and tuber-based economy.
- Ceramics.
- Religion.
Latin American states are largely multinational. Indigenous movements fight for autonomy, ancestral rights, and bilingual, intercultural education.
- Multiculturalism: Often viewed negatively as it emphasizes cultural differences.
- Interculturalism: Focuses on cultural exchange and miscegenation.
In Argentina, constitutional reforms recognize indigenous pre-existence, identity, bilingual education, legal personality, land rights, and resource management participation.
Argentine and Latin American Parallels
Argentina shares Latin America’s variable and heterogeneous characteristics, including diverse religions, languages, ethnicities, cultures, and income levels.
Cultural Extensions
Culture encompasses human creations transmitted across generations, influenced by other peoples.
- Architecture: The art of creating material structures, combining scientific, utilitarian, and aesthetic elements.
- Sculpture: The oldest art form, representing figures in bulk.
- Painting: Applying color to surfaces to create images, evolving from religious themes to diverse styles like impressionism, cubism, and surrealism.
- Philosophy: The pursuit of knowledge through reason, addressing ethics and aesthetics.