Maize and its importance in the Popoluca culture of San Fernando in Soteapan, Veracruz

Abstract

Corn and its importance in the Popoluca culture of San Fernando in Soteapan Veracruz. In the community of San Fernando, Soteapan, Veracruz, the cultivation of corn is associated with human and animal nutrition as the main food. Within the Popoluca culture, this cereal functions as a basic element in rituals, festivals and representative ceremonies. The objective of this work is to know the historical and cultural aspects of the use of corn by the inhabitants of the Popoluca culture in the town of San Fernando, municipality of Soteapan, Veracruz. Justification. The present investigation was carried out due to the importance that the inhabitants of the town of San Fernando attribute to the use of corn within their culture. Hypothesis. The cultivation of corn in the town of San Fernando is of great importance in the Popoluca culture, and is used in the preparation of various dishes for daily consumption and in festivals of the inhabitants. Materials and methods. To collect the information, the survey technique was applied and the questionnaire as an instrument, to obtain the sample, a snowball was used. Results. It was found that native corn is part of the biocultural heritage of the Popoluca culture, it represents the basis of their daily diet, it is the main ingredient for the preparation of various dishes at parties and ceremonies. The indigenous community implements the milpa system in which their main crop is corn, which is associated with other crops, including beans, squash, chili, chayote, and quelites, which are used for self-consumption, making them self-sufficient communities.