Far from putting traditions at risk, technology and the digital world have contributed to strengthening and disseminating Hanal Pixán on a global scale, said sociologist and researcher at the Autonomous University of Yucatán (Uady), Luis Várguez Pasos.
“It is true that the digital world has transformed the way we live and share our traditions, but we should not be alarmed. Instead of seeing it as a threat, we should recognize that new technologies, such as mobile devices, allow us to break with localism and make Hanal Pixán known to a global audience,” said the academic.
The specialist ruled out that modernization implies the disappearance of this traditional festival. On the contrary, he considered that technology has given it greater life and visibility.
“There is no need to be alarmed or turn on red lights thinking that television or the Internet will destroy our culture. On the contrary, what I have experienced is that they give it more life,” he said.
Thanks to current connectivity, it is possible to share knowledge and promote Mayan culture in real time with people from all over the world, he highlighted.
“I recently had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from Buenos Aires and Tijuana at the same time. This is not only a technological marvel, but it allows for greater dissemination of our cultural heritage,” he said.
“Today, thanks to these little devices that we have in our hands – cell phones – we can reach the whole world; as Buzz Lightyear would say, ‘to infinity and beyond’. Localism is broken and our traditions are made known to the world,” added the researcher, in an enthusiastic tone.
out of state
According to the academic, digitalization has allowed the Hanal Pixán to transcend the borders of the Peninsula.
“A few years ago, outside our sphere, who would know about Hanal Pixán? Today I dare to say that the whole world knows about it, because the signal reaches everywhere,” he reiterated.
The sociologist recognized that digitalization also poses new challenges, such as understanding how different social groups perceive traditions.
“The Hanal Pixán is a set of many things: gastronomy, language and Mayan worldview. We need to study how it impacts different sectors, such as children, young people or older people,” he explained.
Likewise, he stressed that traditions are not static, but rather evolve.
As an example, he mentioned the Paseo de las Ánimas, which emerged in recent years, which “far from distorting, enriches the central celebration and helps keep the tradition alive.”
The researcher pointed out that, although some traditions can transform over time, the disappearance of Hanal Pixán will not happen soon.
“The Mayan culture and the Hanal Pixán are in constant reproduction. If they were to change or be lost, it will not be in the short term; it is a process that would take a long time,” he concluded.— DAVID DOMÍNGUEZ MASSA
Economy
Regarding the commercialization of Hanal Pixán, sociologist Luis Várguez Pasos indicated that the economic component can be positive.
Impact on businesses
“Every year local bakeries and businesses promote traditional products such as bread of the dead or mucbipollo. This not only generates income, but also encourages the continuity of our customs,” he said.
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