‘Yaquispala’: local practices, memory and conservation

Abstract

Background and aims: ‘Yaquispala’ is the local name given to Puya yakespala in the Municipality of Iruya, Salta province, Argentina. It is an endemic plant in the north of the province and declared by official organisms as an endangered species to be protected. Even when it is mentioned only to Santa Victoria Department in floristic repertories, it has been recorded in Iruya Department where this research is conducted. This contribution seeks to be a first approach to the contextualization of ‘yaquispala’ uses, as well as to local management practices related to this plant.
M&M: Ethnographic fieldwork was performed, along which observations in different contexts and both open and semi-structured interviews (referred to the approached subject) to 25 people were carried out in Iruya village and Rodeo Colorado. Reference plant material was collected.
Results: The plant itself as well as related practices are described by means of local terms. As with practices, local uses are described having in mind contexts, moments and memories to which they are linked. Finally, it is focused on local management practices of the species, mainly burning and harvesting.
Conclusions: By means of this case, it is intended to reflect on local practices and the importance of their inclusion in discussions, regulations and policies related to conservation of biocultural diversity.