Representations of the spectacled bear in the eastern foothills of the equatorial Andes

  • Miguel Barreiros Padilla Museo de Arte Precolombino Casa del Alabado
Keywords: spectacled bear - representation - conservation - Oyacachi.

Abstract

The article explores representations of the spectacled bear in the Oyacachi community located on the eastern flanks of the Andes Mountain Range. Its representations depend on elements that merge with inhabitants’ daily lives. The analysis of the information collected, which included analysis of historical documents and information related to archaeological and biological research in the area, allowed us to identify three different representations of this species. The first combines elements of storytelling that nourish a representation of a mythical or mythologized character; another reflects the current conflict of the bear’s attack on cattle, which promotes a derogatory representation of the species; and the last representation incorporates images of the bear to promote local tourism.

Published
2022-10-04
How to Cite
Barreiros Padilla, M. (2022). Representations of the spectacled bear in the eastern foothills of the equatorial Andes. Antropología Cuadernos De Investigación, (26), 84-97. https://doi.org/10.26807/ant.vi26.288
Section
Tema: patrimonio cultural, territorios e identidades