Transformación artesanal del maíz (Zea mays L.), por comunidades afrocolombianas del pacifico

Contextualization: this study documents various artisanal maize transformation products, created by Afro-Colombian communities in the Pacific region, an area known for its ability to reflect and preserve the cultural traditions of the ethnic communities involved. Knowledge Gap: despite the cultural importance of maize, there is limited documentation on the specific artisanal transformation processes in Afro-Colombian communities. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing knowledge by focusing on these processes within the context of the Colombian Pacific. Purpose: the main objective of the study is to analyze the artisanal maize transformation practices, carried out by Afro-Colombian communities in the Colombian Pacific, with a focus on the transmission of intergenerational knowledge and the influence of cultural factors. Methodology: data collection was conducted through semi-structured surveys with key informants involved in the transformation and sale of maize-based products. A total of 45 surveys were conducted, in addition to observations in the Quibdó marketplace. The analysis included descriptive measures and statistical tests, such as U-tests with Bonferroni correction and Spearman correlation. Results and conclusions: women predominated among the informants, representing 97.5% Afro-Colombian communities and 2.5% mestizos. Most of the informants were in the 50-60 age range. Sixteen maize transformations were identified, with "el claro" being the most common product, and the "Chococito" maize variety being the most used. This study reveals the importance of women in maize transformation, underscores the need to preserve the heritage of knowledge, and highlights the influence of cultural factors in the choice of maize varieties and transformation practices. Additionally, the correlation between the age of the informants and the time spent on maize transformation suggests consistency and accumulated experience in this practice.