Abstract

VILLANUEVA-FIGUEROA, M. L. et al. Ethnobotany of the agricultural cycle-related rituals and its function in the bio-cultural preservation in Coatetelco, Morelos, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2021, n.52, pp.241-264.  Epub Oct 18, 2021. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.52.15.

The dynamic traditional knowledge has been originated as a result of the historic relationship between social groups and nature. This knowledge is compound of the fact that are plants offered in rituals, which functionality is still present since they play an essential role in the social reproduction of communities as they are related to the agricultural cycle.

Therefore, it is asked: Do the offerings concerning agricultural cycle allow the vegetal diversity conservation and the knowledge attached to it in the Nahuatl community of Coatetelco, Morelos?

In order to answer this question, the components, species and the variety of the plants that are offered in the agricultural cycle rituals, were identified, as well as their production units. To gather information, key informants carried out 34 semi-structured interviews, while 50 open-ended questions interviews were conducted with the people who attend the different ritual ceremonies.

Eight rituals and six components such as food, drinks, arbor structure and “huatapextle” which is a hanging table where the offering is set, ornaments, dancers’ accessories and seeds, were found. They were compound of 59 species and 10 varieties, of which 74.57% are domesticated, 20.33% wild and 5% wild/domesticated that come from plots, hills, lagoons, yards and scrubland, another along with the market which is another source. Corn is an outstanding element in all of the rituals and in 87.5 % zucchini and chili which are considered identity species.

In conclusion, rituals concerning agricultural cycle allow the conservation of many species and some vegetables which are basic in the Nahua population diet, incorporating Mexican tarragon and marigold flowers which are considered identity species as well as the native ones that have been classified as “main” for this research.

Based on social work, vegetal diversity originated in their production units and the one obtained from local markets become essential components of an offering, for instance, “huatapextle” or “huentle”, both pre-hispanic. They provide Coatetelco with a sense of belonging and a strong bond with the agricultural cycle that in sum; enable the bio-cultural diversity conservation.

Keywords : offerings; agricultural rituals; identity plants; bio-cultural conservation.

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