Introducing the Center for Emerging Cultural Studies (Ecuador): Independent Research on Mythogenesis, Cultural Semiotics, and Living Heritage

This working paper inaugurates the Center for Emerging Cultural Studies (Ecuador), a field-based research initiative dedicated to analyzing contemporary mythogenesis, cultural semiotics, and heritage conflict in Latin America. Developed from more than a decade of empirical observation in Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador, the Center investigates how symbols, myths, and identity narratives are created, appropriated, institutionalized, and contested in real time. The paper outlines the Center’s mission, theoretical foundations, research lines, and case relevance—particularly regarding the emergence and dispute surrounding Baños’ contemporary duende phenomenon (2013–present). First released on SSRN, this Zenodo deposit provides the persistent DOI record linking the preprint to its reference archive. The document forms part of the Center’s Working Paper Series and establishes its analytical framework for future research output.