Cultural diversity in Mexico: this is the country’s plurality

Mexico has one of its greatest riches in the plurality of the cultures that populate it.

Cultural diversity has gained special relevance in recent years due to different phenomena such as internal and external migrations, as well as globalization processes around the world. In this context Mexico has been recognized as one of the most culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse countries in the world.ethnic and linguistic diversity at the international level.

In this article we will briefly review the cultural diversity in Mexico, going through some characteristics of the ethnic, linguistic and material diversity that are part of the same country. Finally we will see what is the legal framework that has been generated as a measure of promotion and protection of cultural diversity.

Cultural diversity in Mexico

The recognition and protection of cultural diversity has been one of the international priorities disseminated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO itself has defined "cultural diversity" as the multiplicity of forms in which the cultures of groups and societies express themselves and, in so doing, transmit the heritage of humanity.

As a multiplicity of forms, cultural diversity includes historical plurality, groups of cultures and societies, and the diversity of cultural expressions. includes historical plurality, ethnic groups, languages, customs, traditions, gastronomy, art, art, art, culture, art and culture.gastronomy, art, craftsmanship, etc.

All of the above is based on the consideration that each group and each society has a particular way of seeing the world and relating to it. and of relating to it. That is, in each group there is a specific way of perceiving and solving problems, assigning values, qualities, roles, etc., which ultimately generates a particular cultural identity that must be respected.

Some representative elements

Although cultural diversity has initially been thought of in terms of ethnic diversity, plurality and the different manifestations of culture also include linguistic diversity and material heritage, among others. Following this, we will briefly look at some representative elements.

1. Ethnic diversity

The National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Mexico explains that there are currently 68 indigenous peopleswhich represents approximately 11 million of the 132,562 inhabitants of the country.

Likewise, in 2015, the National Institute of Geography and Informatics census almost 1 million 400 thousand African Americans, a figure that corresponds to 1.4 % of the national population and represents an important, although often invisibilized, part of the country's ethnic and cultural diversity.

On the other hand, ethnic diversity can be expressed, for example, in gastronomy, handicrafts or artistic creations that are specific to each region of the country. that are specific to each region of the country.

It can also be expressed through manifestations that are not necessarily material, such as festivals, ceremonies, theatrical or musical performances. This is also related to a cultural identity forged by the preservation of different knowledge, beliefs, rites, traditions and stories transmitted from generation to generation.

2. Linguistic diversity

Mexico's linguistic heritage is made up of 11 linguistic families, 68 native languages and 364 variants. These languages are spoken by approximately 7 million inhabitants, making Mexico the country with the largest population of indigenous language speakers in the Americas. The problem is that, given the growing pressure of the use of Spanish, there is a high risk of disappearance for most of these languages.

On the other hand, chronicles, legends and literary heritage in general are also considered intangible but linguistic assets.

3. Tangible heritage

Another aspect where cultural diversity is visible are material expressions such as historical monuments and documentary assets.

Perhaps one of the most representative issues in this regard is the archaeological heritage. archaeological heritagewhich may include cities such as Chichen Itzá, Monte Albán or Teotihuacan, to the remains of utensils and tools, or different forms of rock art.

The legal framework for the protection of cultural diversity

In short, Mexico has been recognized as a pluriethnic and pluricultural country. However, in the face of constant socioeconomic changes and modernization processes, indigenous peoples and the cultural richness that is representative of the country have been constantly threatened.

In some sectors and contexts, cultural diversity has been seen as a factor of backwardness or an impediment to modernization. for which it has been necessary to create protection strategies.. In fact, cultural diversity has gone from being a concept that refers to the plurality of cultural manifestations present in a given society to being recognized as a human right.

Specifically, Mexico has signed both the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001 and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2005.

In 2001, with the reform of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, the cultural diversity of the Mexican nation was recognized (in Article 2), with a focus on indigenous peoples.

Two years later, in 2003, the General Law on the Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples came into force, allowing for the creation of the National Institute of Indigenous Languages and the reform of the General Education Law, promoting the teaching of the nation's linguistic plurality and respect for linguistic and respect for linguistic rights.

A year later, the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination and a federal law to support it were created to guarantee the right to equality and combat social exclusion based on ethnic origin.

In the health framework, the General Health Law was also reformed, to promote respect for indigenous uses and customs, the use of traditional medicine and the use of traditional medicine.The use of traditional medicine and intercultural medical care was also reformed in the health sector. In the center and south of the country, several federative entities also reformed their laws to support the legal framework that preceded them.

Bibliographic references:

• National campaign for the cultural diversity of Mexico. (S/A). La diversidad cultural (Marco conceptual). INALI: Mexico.
• Equipo Editorial (2016). 70 years of the Black Population: Concealment and Oblivion. Diversidad Cultura, 1(1): 10-11.
• Martínez, A. (2018). The archaeological heritage of Mexico. Arqueología Mexicana. Retrieved October 09, 0218. Dispinible at https://arqueologiamexicana.mx/mexico-antiguo/el-patrimonio-arqueologico-de-mexico.
• Salmerón, F. (2017). Cultural diversity and nation. Blog Revista Diversidad Cultural. Retrieved October 09, 2018. Available at https://www.revistadiversidadcultural.com/blo/diversidad-cultural/diversidad-cultural-y-nacion/.
• Subercaseaux, B. (2002). Nation and culture in Latin America: cultural diversity and globalization. LOM: Santiago de Chile.
• Paz, S. (2015). World Day for Cultural Diversity: Mexico, multicultural country. National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT). Retrieved October 09. Available at http://www.conacytprensa.mx/index.php/ciencia/humanidades/1583-dia-mundial-de-la-diversidad-cultural-mexico-pais-multicultura.