Etnicidad maya en Yucatán: balances y nuevas rutas de investigación

Abstract

This paper seeks to analyze the diversity of expressions of Mayan ethnicity in Yucatan. The analysis is based on field research —including participant observation, in-depth interviews, life stories, consultation of documents— in Merida and other locations in Yucatan between 2009 and 2015 and in the review of the literature on Mayan ethnicity in that state. Thus, the paper articulates analytically the results of various studies on the subject and shows that while Mayan ethnicity in Yucatan has a common basis —the ethnic actors identify themselves as Maya, recognizing themselves as heirs of the Pre-Hispanic Maya and distinguish themselves from non-indigenous— also has various political, economic and legal expressions with different scopes. This paper offers theoretical elements to understand the emergence of Mayan ethnicity and its various expressions. It also identifies recent expressions of Mayan ethnicity, such as those related to the impact of social sciences and business foundations, which have not yet been fully analyzed and are presented as routes to explore.