Abstract

MONTANA BARBANO, María M.; HUICOCHEA GOMEZ, Laura  and  MEJIA LOZADA, Diana I.. Being "coleto": plants inside the houses of "El Cerrillo", San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico. Culturales [online]. 2015, vol.3, n.2, pp.181-207. ISSN 2448-539X.

This article compiles the results of the analysis of a series of interviews conducted with women from "El Cerrillo", one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. The aim was to understand the cultural meanings created by the "coletos" regarding the plants they keep inside their homes. The componential analysis applied to the interviews allowed the researchers to distinguish the terms used by the "coleto" women and the relationship between those terms. Links were found between the use and care of plants to other elements pertinent of the cultural system of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Among these elements were cooking, religion, architecture and medicine. We conclude that the use and care of plants involve knowledge, social values and cultural practices which are interrelated to several elements of the cultural system of the "coletos", becoming an important expression of the identity of the group.

Keywords : plants at home; "El Cerrillo"; coleta women; componential analysis.

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