The Construction of Cultural Identity and Physical Activity in Ecuadorian Literature
Abstract
The representation of cultural identity and physical activity in Ecuadorian literature has evolved in various ways over time. This review article analyzes how this representation has been used to express and affirm national culture. In this context, physical activity becomes a key vehicle for cultural expression, highlighting popular practices and traditions linked to sports, agricultural labor, and festivities. Ecuadorian literature has reflected how these activities are essential in daily life, especially in rural and Andean regions, and how they mirror the identity of the people. Authors such as Jorge Icaza, in Huasipungo, and other writers of the indigenist movement have portrayed the customs, rituals, and physical efforts that characterize the daily struggle of Indigenous peoples, emphasizing the connection between cultural identity and physical labor in the countryside. The main objective of this research is to analyze how the representation of cultural identity and physical activity has evolved throughout the literary history of Ecuador, focusing on its role as a key instrument for expressing and affirming national culture across different periods. Thus, physical activity not only represents a fundamental component of Ecuadorian culture but also serves as a means of resistance and affirmation of its identity in the face of historical and social challenges.
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