Ethnomycological study of the municipal seat of Tecpán Guatemala, Chimaltenango

Abstract

Ethnomycological studies in Guatemala are scarce. Very few document the customs, traditions, knowledge and nomenclature of fungi in the different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. To contribute to the recognition of this cultural and biological richness, this work was developed in one of the most important populations of the Kaqchikel area of ​​the Guatemalan highlands. Mushroom foragers were interviewed and collections were made in the local pine and oak forests. The municipal market was also visited on Thursdays and Sundays, to acquire the species of edible mushrooms that were for sale. A survey was also carried out on a sample of schoolchildren and adults living in the place of study, to determine the general knowledge that the population had about fungi.     Important and valuable information was collected on the concept of fungus, ecology, phenology, morphology, nomenclature, traditional classification, edible, medicinal and toxic mushrooms. There are 38 names in the Kaqchikel language and 21 in the Spanish language. The names of the fungi are assigned either by the habitat they occupy or by comparison with elements of the environment, such as fruits, animals, birds and others. Through the analysis of the nomenclature, the traditional genres were established. The traditional classification of fungi is based on their usefulness and their use in food.   The results of the surveys were analyzed by frequencies and by bivariate analysis, finding that knowledge of fungi in general! in the population, it is higher in the male gender than in the female gender. Also, the transmission of such knowledge is by gender. In the group of mushroom hunters, the trend towards greater knowledge of mushrooms leans towards the female gender, because in this case an occupation that generates an additional source of income is probably involved.