Estudio del arraigo gastronómico del cantón Latacunga influenciado por la fiesta de la Mama Negra

Abstract

In this ethnography a study was performed on the gastronomic roots of Latacunga canton as a tourist and cultural element, which has a great amount of richness both historical and festive, one of them is the festival of the Mama Negra or Holy Tragedy that takes place on September 23rd and 24th every year. For the research, qualitative methods were applied through the use of interviews and surveys to the inhabitants that are constant participants of the celebration and mainly because they are familiarized with the culture, the latacungueños tradition. To establish which are the typical dishes of the area and the importance of the traditional gastronomy to be offered to locals and foreigners, by acquiring the knowledge of the most representative preparations such as: shampús, jora chicha, potatoes with chicken, potatoes with guinea pig, chicken broth, beef hoof broth, allullas and the incomparable chugchucaras. With this investigation, it was possible to create an informative magazine on the customs, traditions, methods, techniques, ingredients and utensils, for the elaboration of the traditional preparations that will be investigated with the main aim of retaking the cultural identity regarding this celebration in honor to the Virgin of Mercy, in order to promote the gastronomic tourism and this way to achieve Latacunga economic development. It is concluded with the presentation of the typical and significant dishes belonging to the canton, at the same time with the correct manipulation of the products in the food preparation.