Lime in Cuenca (Ecuador): from patrimonial to matrilineal
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 14 April 2022
Issue publication date: 10 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Through the case of Blanca Sinchi, the following analysis presents valuation criteria that have resulted in the invisibility of social actors and cultural patrimony (cultural heritage) elements, and some contradictions in their acknowledgment process. In addition, the paper explains how architecture, among other historic assets, has made women and their contributions invisible.
Design/methodology/approach
Bibliographic analysis and semi-structured interviews were carried out to theorize about the thermodynamic system of lime to propose a matri-lineal system category and expand the understanding of the participation of women in the receipt, management and transmission of what is called patrimony.
Findings
In heritage places, such as Cuenca (Ecuador), cultural richness extends from the Historic Center to the rest of the territory and its actors. However, there are intrinsic elements, such as unknown, but fundamental, oral or family traditions associated with the role of women. The case of Blanca Sinchi and lime is evidence of this, as it shows the typical scenario affected by gender and by disparate power dynamics that do not consider desirable attributes (authenticity, integrity, identity, bequest, option, existence, among others) in the conservation of architectural patrimony. A deep redefinition process, or even a change in the valuation system, is needed. Also, the history behind built heritage items must be explored to find the contributions made by women.
Originality/value
Proposing a matri-lineal system category to expand the understanding of the participation of women in the receipt, management and transmission of what is called patrimony, allows redefining and rewriting local and global history, acknowledging the role of women. In this way, the proposal questions not only the hegemony of the term “cultural patrimony” pigeonholed in paternal legacy but also the term “cultural heritage” as a synonym and framework that, while expanding material values, it does not effectively include, at least for Ibero-Romance language territories, the broad set of tangible and intangible values, as well as the know-how and skills of artisans.
Keywords
Citation
Aguirre Ullauri, M.d.C. and Contreras-Escandón, C.H. (2024), "Lime in Cuenca (Ecuador): from patrimonial to matrilineal", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 436-456. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-09-2021-0168
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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