More than half of the population of Mérida considers itself to be of Mayan origin, but it is the group most discriminated against by the capital’s society, even though the majority of the workforce comes from police stations and remote neighborhoods of the city, he stated. the anthropologist Freddy Poot Sosa, researcher of the Maya culture.
He highlighted that observing the people of the city, the Mayan or “indigenous” origin is noticeable, as some say, but far from this representing vulnerability, it should be seen with pride and should include true preservation. He cited that, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), Yucatán is one of the five states with the highest percentage of indigenous population, 61.09 percent of the total.
He explained that in the remote neighborhoods, traditional and cultural activities are still carried out, as is done in police stations or municipalities, from dairy farms to bullfights, an aspect that is not common, especially in the center of the city.
“In recent years, Mérida has received a large number of migrants, but the Mayans are still the majority, this is not a threat to the Mayan or Yucatecan culture, because when they come they assimilate our culture and adapt, there could be changes, Since no culture is one hundred percent pure, it always changes,” he indicated.
He explained that there is an obvious lag because they have been forced to lose their identity, being made invisible and discriminated against, but there is resistance on the part of this population that exists and remains in preservation and continuous struggle for its participation in society.
“Indigenous groups, when moving to perform jobs, are a pendulous population, which is when for work reasons they change residence to the workplace, where they continue to face prejudice and discrimination, without complying with the legal provisions that protect their rights. ”, he assured.
As an example of these legal gaps, he mentioned that in the State Congress, there is no commission on indigenous affairs, and the Mayan language, which is the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Yucatán, is not promoted either.
“The teaching of the Mayan language should be mandatory at all schools in Yucatan, it would increase preservation and reduce rejection of this aspect that remains of one of the most important cultures in the world,” Poot concluded.
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