Referentes patrimoniales e identitarios de San Juan del Puertosu cosmogonía marismeña o la historia de un sentimiento

Abstract

In marsh areas, natural and cultural heritage are engaged in a symbiotic relationship to create a unique identity with features clearly defined by space and time. Once established this key argument, the main aim of the research is to identify those territorial and historical landmarks rich with evolving symbolism that have triggered a perception of the environment in a very specific way. For this clear reason, casuistries of environmental and cultural life in San Juan del Puerto will be studied. Focusing on the target population, the main features are those of a society governed by a long-established seafaring and marsh tradition. Production structures in the area have been restructured due to their evolutional and possible development, even though a particular understanding and appreciation of certain locations, which are also part of the people’s nearest living space, are maintained since they are a fundamental constituent of the group idiosyncrasy and uniqueness. By Ethnography and Ethnohistory the recognition of the identitarian bearings of the target population from the 15th century until today will be thoroughly examined in order to define past, present and future features within the above-mentioned community. Similarly, the cultural space is reformulated on the basis of the 'The Theory of the Place’, that is to say, basic spatial units, including both environmental and human ones, endowed with a special significance within a specific cultural context. It should be highlighted that the main research objectives are to: • Identify and define the main features that characterize the thoughts and feelings of the target population. • Consider the relevance of the Tinto River, more specifically, the influence of its wetlands on the historical development of San Juan del Puerto. • Learn about the historical relation among valuable salt marshes, marshlands or wetlands and ports with San Juan del Puerto, taking into account the way in which that connection contributes to a large extent to the present way of experiencing and feeling within the community. • Analyse the evolution of production activities in the area and try to establish the social relationships of production, dyachronically and synchronically, under the influence of the marsh environment through history. • Define some of the major enviromental risks in the area, such as floods, air pollution and water pollution among others, and learn about their causes. • Formulate a critical position on damage to nature, specially damage to the Tinto marshes along its course through San Juan del Puerto. • Learn about political proposals and projects aimed at solving the environmental problems of the Tinto ecosystem. • Place value on the need to strengthen endogenous development and other participatory approaches that are closely linked to the protection of the environment (sustanaible development). • Provide a useful source of information and analysis of the surrounding reality by the completion of a didactic programme that will contribute to the recovery of identitarian bearings within the aforesaid community.