El Tepozteco, símbolo de identidad colectiva

Abstract

The goal of this article is to describe and analyze the importance of a symbol in the life of a community. In Tepoztlan, the symbol of the Tepozteco mountain serves as a vehicle for the identity of political groups in that community and demonstrates to us the (frequently denied) importance of the role that culture plays in political processes and in the formation of collective identities. Based on the work of Victor Turner, the essay develops a theoretical and methodological proposal for analyzing social movements. Events surrounding the plans for a golf club in Tepoztlan are analyzed as a four-phase social drama: (1) disturbance of the peace, (2) crisis situation with confrontations between the disputing groups, (3) adjustment and reform mechanisms, adopted by the groups' leaders, and (4) res¬toration of law and order or the recognition of an irresolvable crisis by the groups and political parties.