The cultivation, uses, and festivities related to native maize (Zea mays L.) in the community of La Virgen, Salvatierra, Guanajuato.

Resumen

Objective: To generate knowledge about the use of native maize and to identify the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for its conservation in an agrarian community.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed-method approach was applied. The qualitative approach included participatory workshops, group discussions, and field visits. The quantitative approach involved a questionnaire applied to 40 key stakeholders which covered socioeconomic aspects, agricultural practices, and conservation strategies. Data were analyzed using basic statistical methods.

Results: Three types of native maize were identified: white, red, and black. White maize is the most widely cultivated and consumed, followed by red and black maize. Seeds are inherited from one generation to another, reflecting continuity in traditional practices. Recurrent droughts have limited grain production. Maize plays a fundamental role in local festivities, such as the Misa del Buen Temporal (Mass for Good Weather), although the abandonment of the Eménguaro feast highlights changes in community identity.

Study Limitations/Implications: The results are applicable to a single community.

Findings/Conclusions: The conservation of native maize reflects resistance to social pressures and current consumption trends. Although festivities linked to maize have undergone transformations, this crop remains important in the local diet. The findings highlight the importance of developing local strategies that integrate lore and agroecological approaches.