Jahuay Cantares Agrícolas, Camino a la Patrimonialización

Jahuay is a traditional song of the Puruhá people, which allows improvisation, keeps the rhythm of the wheat and barley harvest and gives encouragement to the harvesters; it is practiced in the months of June, July and August in the province of Chimborazo. In its verses it expresses the thought, history and memory of the Puruhá people. There are some factors that have jeopardized the continuity of this manifestation such as: lack of appreciation, ignorance, migration, religious groups, lack of political will, among others. That is why this article aims to analyze the value of jahuay and the reasons why a safeguarding plan should be developed and the inscription of this cultural manifestation as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ecuador and UNESCO. The patrimonialization of the Jahuay will contribute to the socioeconomic, symbolic and cultural development of the communities of the Puruhá people and the country.