Culinary Costums of the Ecuadorian Highlands

Abstract

The present research is originated as a result of a Gastronomy career project at the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo called "Register of Culinary Traditions of Riobamba canton, as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. The main objective is to identify customs of the rural town, Licán, based on its festive agro calendar in order to safeguard traditions and culinary practices. An analysis was carried out from the general to the particular by using the deductive method, as well as the inductive, through ethnographic techniques such as: bibliographic review (historical documents, territorial development plans), interview to quality informants (town community leaders, senior citizens). In addition to the observation, life stories and workshops with focal groups. Licán is one of eleven rural towns of Riobamba canton, province of Chimborazo. The population, mainly adult, is established in its ancestor customs, traditions and diets. The gastronomic customs of Licán are characterized by their relationship with festivals, traditions, rituals, religion, myths, dishes with cultural backgrounds linked to past times, harvests and sowings. The world of gastronomy is made up of an extensive variety of cultures and customs. In Licán some of the festivities that currently survive have been transmitted from generation to generation, it is celebrated in different months of the year, where its culinary practices are highlighted. Through research, the conservation of some traditions that survive, as constitutive elements of the intangible cultural heritage of the parish, is confirmed.