Cultural dynamics and social practices in rural spaces: a historical analysis of the province of Chumbivilcas, Peruvian Andes

Abstract

This article analyzes the cultural and social dynamics of Chumbivilcas, located in the Peruvian Andes, highlighting its historical evolution and adaptation to globalization. It focuses on the role of the ayllu, a traditional organizational unit that remains central to social and economic management, fostering values such as solidarity and resource balance. Cultural practices, including festivals and rituals particularly the Chumbivilcas Carnival are emphasized as spaces of cultural resistance and the transmission of historical memory. The study of reciprocity practices, such as ayni and mink’a, underscores community cohesion. Additionally, the transmission of ancestral knowledge ensures cultural continuity. The impacts of migration and globalization are addressed, with special emphasis on the crucial role of women and youth in preserving and reinterpreting traditions. The article concludes with a call for inclusive public policies to strengthen cultural identity and social cohesion in a globalized context.

Keywords: Chumbivilcas, Peruvian Andes, ayllu, reciprocity, Andean festivals, oral traditions, cultural resilience, globalization.