Hasta manana...teacher : perspectives of cultural identity infusion on a group of youth in Arequipa, Peru / Maija Lamminmaki.

Abstract

This intrinsic ethnographic case study examines the group identity of youth attending the Villa Chachani Community School, in Arequipa, Peru. Considering the colonial, historical and current contextual factors, this study examined if the youth at this school were struggling with their identity or, alternatively, if they expressed a strong sense of identity. The data was collected from interviews with four adult participants associated with the Villa Chachani Community School and researcher field notes. Participants were asked to share their perspectives on the expressed identity of this youth cultural sub-group, while focusing on the unique contexts encasing the students. Three major themes emerged from an analysis of the data: (1) environments; (2) people; and (3) culture and society. Within each of these themes, critical data supporting the overall strength of a youth sub-cultural identity emerged. Specifically, the environments of the Flora Tristan community, the Villa Chachani Community School, and the city of Arequipa impacted the students’ group identity formation. The people surrounding and supporting the students, including their families, role models, peers and volunteer teachers, were also important factors. Finally, the role of culture and society; clothing, technology, and youth culture in general, were seen to contribute to the overall strength of the group identity, or sub-culture, expressed by these Villa Chachani youth. In conclusion, despite the lack of an obviously expressed Indigenous identity, the students exhibit a strong and unique Peruvian youth sub-culture.