Memoria del contrabando de alcohol a mediados del siglo XX: ruta Sayausí-Molleturo

Abstract

This research focuses on recording the main geographical, historical, economic and social aspects of the smuggling of aguardiente (alcoholic beverage) in the mid-twentieth century in the periphery of the Sayausí-Molleturo route, province of Azuay (Ecuador). Therefore, this activity between 1940-1970 had an impact on the parishes of Sayausí-Molleturo that had repercussions in the city of Cuenca, especially due to the laws imposed by the state. Thus, it generated a series of social and political consequences in these parishes due to the smuggling of aguardiente. The method used for the collection of information in this research is qualitative with ethnographic and archival documentary methodology. This degree work begins by contextualizing physical and environmental elements of the villages located in the parishes of Sayausí-Molleturo in order to describe the geography where the aguardiente was transported and marketed, also, the laws that characterized the time are analyzed, mainly the rules of the "estanco" in Azuay. In addition, the elaboration of the aguardiente is described, that is to say, the process of harvesting, transformation, elaboration and commercialization of this product is indicated, where it was necessary to highlight the materials used for this purpose. Finally, a series of results are explained about the smuggling of aguardiente through the individual memory of the protagonists of this trade and the reflection obtained through the research.