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MEMORY AND HERITAGE AT RISK: THE ENCAUCHADOS AND LIQUOR CONTRABAND IN BAÑOS (CUENCA-ECUADOR)

Abstract:

Baños is a culturally diverse rural parish of Cuenca (Ecuador) where, gradually, its practices and traditions are changing or disappearing, generating oblivion, loss, and absence of identity. Thus, it is necessary to register and bring to the present some events that are part of the local history, starting from the study of the so-called ‘encauchados’ (ponchos, zamarros, perras) and their direct relationship with liquor contraband around the middle of the 20th century. For such purpose, interviews were carried out with the actors of these activities, who give us an account of the past through memory and oral tradition.