José María Arguedas y la Revista Pumaccahua: creación literaria e investigación etnográfica

Abstract

Besides being a writer and an anthropologist, José María Arguedas was a teacher of basic education at Mateo Pumaccahua School, in Sicuani, in Cusco, between 1939 and 1941. In which his pedagogical experience was characterized by encouraging literary creation, field research and the compilation of the local traditions of the Peruvian highlands. In this way, he involved the students into the literary taste, creative writing, critical reading, as well as their interest in the manifestations and values of the Andean culture. Product of his pedagogical experience was the publication of Pumaccahua magazine, which brings an insight into poetry, text comments, short essays and exhibitions of local traditions and customs created by the students themselves. Focusing the education and work of a teacher in any classroom from another perspective. Arguedas stated that the student’s role is the fundamental core of education. In his point of view, it is important to bring the necessary assessment to the students’ own interests, the promotion of reading, artistic creation and critical reflection. Likewise, the mutual interaction among the school, the community and the Andean cosmovision is relevant to that purpose.