La configuración de identidades comunitarias. El caso de la celebración del inti raymi en la sierra central del Ecuador

Abstract

This research analyzes the relationship between the celebration of Inti Raymi and the reconfiguration of cultural identity in urban populations of the Central Highlands of Ecuador, from the perspective of intercultural psychology. It starts from the recognition that cultural diversity is a fundamental feature of Ecuadorian society, and that, particularly in the Andean region, indigenous communities have preserved rituals, knowledge, and ancestral practices as part of their collective life. Within this framework, Inti Raymi is understood not only as a festivity but as a symbolic and spiritual process that connects Andean worldview, historical memory, territoriality, and community organization. The study is justified by the need to understand how these cultural practices remain relevant in urban settings affected by migration, modernization, and institutionalization. In urban and academic contexts, Inti Raymi has been reinterpreted and reappraised, especially following the recognition of Ecuador as an intercultural and plurinational state. However, this visibility has also generated tensions, as in some cases the festival may be experienced partially or folklorized, weakening its communal and cosmological meaning. The research uses an empirical-testimonial qualitative approach, based on semistructured interviews with two Ecuadorian university professors with experience in the study of Inti Raymi. The findings show that the celebration acts as a device for cultural continuity by reactivating collective memory, strengthening the sense of belonging, and reaffirming ancestral values. Ritual elements such as ceremonial baths, music, dance, clothing, and reciprocity practices function as cultural codes that help maintain community identity even outside the traditional territory. Finally, Inti Raymi influences the construction and transformation of the “indigenous self” in the city, demonstrating that identity is not fixed, but dynamic and relational, produced in interaction with social, cultural, and historical contexts.