Memorias viajeras: relatos de una comunidad de Piedecuesta – Santander para el reconocimiento de los saberes ancestrales en el ámbito escolar rural

Abstract

Ancestral knowledge represents an essential part of the cultural identity of rural communities and constitutes a heritage that must be preserved and valued. With the purpose of recognizing and recovering this knowledge, a project was developed in the municipality of Piedecuesta, Santander, with third-grade primary school students from the Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento Institute, branch B. The initiative sought to collect, through a diary of stories, the histories and experiences transmitted by the elders of the community, thus strengthening the collective memory and the students' sense of belonging to their territory. The work began with a phase of recognition of the municipality, during which a tour was conducted through the main park and different rural areas, allowing for the understanding of historical aspects of the founding and growth of Piedecuesta, as well as establishing a connection with its inhabitants. Subsequently, during the inquiry phase, dialogues were held with local knowledge holders, who shared traditional knowledge that has persisted over time. Among the main identified knowledge areas were those related to traditional medicine, based on the use of plants to relieve various ailments; weaving, which besides being a cultural tradition has become a source of livelihood for many families; tamale making, a culinary practice that has evolved from a family activity to a microenterprise; and the artisanal production of tobacco, a historical activity that has contributed to the economic development of the region. These findings made it possible to highlight the cultural richness of Piedecuesta and emphasize the importance of passing on this knowledge to new generations to prevent its loss and strengthen local cultural identity.