La tradición alimentaria en Baños: cambios y memoria (1950-2021)

Abstract

The present work exposes the uses, changes and transformations on meanings and perceptions of the food culture of Baños from the second half of the twentieth century to the present in order to know its causes and consequences. The research has focused on the processes and subprocesses produced at the time of cooking, which interacted with the culture of a community. In fact, the object of study is the food culture, such as the 'envueltos', especially timbulos and chaquis, fermented beverages such as chicha de jora and chicha de harina, and mediano. The ethnographic research followed a qualitative methodology of analysis where the research technique, the interview, was used to conduct in-depth conversations and direct observation. Both research techniques allowed access to the different points of view of the subject of study as well as to appreciate the food tradition, that is, to understand the moments, meanings and spaces that have been dedicated to the consumption of these traditional dishes. In addition, photographs, video recordings and archival documents from the Curia de Cuenca helped to enrich the documentary corpus. To contrast the primary sources, a bibliographic review of articles, anthropology magazines, books and press releases was carried out. The objective of the research is to preserve the memory of the food culture of Baños, which will allow the development of future research on the food heritage of Cuenca and will reinforce both the identities and traditions of its inhabitants.