José María Arguedas, Precursor de la Interculturalidad en el Perú

Abstract

Jose Maria Arguedas is a Peruvian-born writer, anthropologist, ethnologist and professor whose worked portrayed the cultural, economic and educational issues that divided indigenous people and landowners in the 20th century. His prolific literary work gave voice to the conflicted intercultural relations of indigenous Peruvian groups while, at the same time, provided solutions to overcome historic divisive challenges. His advocacy to the cause of indigenous groups not only depicted racial inequalities, but demonstrated the reality of native-Peruvian indigenous groups whose language and ethnicity were greatly devalued. Thus, Arguedas’ work served as a necessary dialogue between indigenous people and their conquerors, amidst an intercultural framework.