Lo guaranitico como expresion de identidad en escritores de Corrienties, Argentina

The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze the question of cultural identity in the northeastern Province of Corrientes, in Argentina. This region was part of the territory occupied by the Guarani Indians at the arrival of the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century. Besides the Guarani language, still spoken by half of its population, Corrientes shows the influence of the Indian heritage in its popular traditions as well as in the Indian place names, widely spread throughout the territory. However, due to the large number of immigrants which began to populate Argentina during the 19th century, this country has generally been considered European. The emphasis given to the European nature of Argentina has ignored the contribution of the various Indian cultures which are noticeable in other Latin American countries where the mixed population is more evident. This complexity of origins has stimulated many Latin American writers to attempt to determine the proper cultural identity which corresponds to the various regions of the continent. In order to analyze the particular situation existing in Argentina, we have selected a number of works by Correntinian writers who reflect the search for a cultural identity through the use of the Guarani language and themes into their works. By so doing, these authors manifest their identification with the Guarani heritage and at the same time demand the incorporation of the people of Corrientes as legitimate members of the national community. The undeniable presence of the Guarani culture in Corrientes shows that the background of Argentina's population is not exclusively European and that the Indian cultures have contributed to Argentina's heterogeneity.