Promotion of the Xinca culture in the University Centers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: make the Xinca culture visible in the University Centers of Santa Rosa, Jutiapa and Jalapa of the University of San Carlos de Guatemala in 2018 and 2019. METHOD: the approach is quantitative, with descriptive scope, cross-sectional design, a non-probalistic sample composed of 33 teachers, 22 authorities and 231 students; 80% of female students between the ages of 20 and 24, mainly from Legal and Social Sciences careers; teachers aged over 45 years, 87% male. The research is not designed only to identify the scourges in university centers, but studies the current situation, contrasts it with quantitative and qualitative data to propose feasible solutions to the identified problem. This taking into account that, if the cultural and educational problems of the Xinca people are not addressed, it is possible the extinction of their customs and the deficient development of their members. It is scientifically structured to provide unpublished knowledge that can be used in current and future situations of the relationship of the Xinca culture with the university. RESULTS: As main findings: of 100% of students who answered the questionnaire, 0.44% self-identified as Xinca. These results agree with that found by Gómez in 2009, 2016 and 2017; Guzmán and Santacruz in the 2019 student Census, who obtained 0.2, 0.10 and 0.31%, which does not represent a significant difference between the three studies. CONCLUSION: within the studies considered, the percentage of students who self-identify as Xinca has been fluctuating since from 2009 to 2016 it decreased, from 2017 to 2019 it increased.