He project of The Voluminous ones as sociocultural expression of the carnival santiaguero. Un estudio de caso

Abstract

Introduction: During the 2010 Santiago de Cuba Carnival, the Voluminosas float, which broke all expectations, was presented. It was made up of 20 heavyset (fat) women between the ages of 18 and 50. They came from different communities in the city. They were housewives, students, self-employed workers, and professionals. Materials and methods: The following scientific research methods were used: analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, historical-logical, hermeneutic, quantitative-qualitative, observation, and Participatory Action Research (PAR). The research techniques were: surveys, interviews, case studies, content analysis, interactive radio programs, life stories, testimonies, photographs, and audio and video recordings. The statistical software SPSS was used. Sociological theories of culture and dialectical-materialist theories were also considered. Results: The sociocultural event caused a favorable sensation in the majority of the population that witnessed the spectacle. The event generated an artistic and cultural project that has been supported by various Cuban cultural organizations and institutions (Municipal and Provincial Directorates of Culture, the Federation of Cuban Women, government structures, the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), among others). Regardless, some people have not understood the intention of the social proposal, offering unconstructive criticism. Discussion: The main idea underpinning this initiative lies in the need for social inclusion and equality that people have for their development, based on equal opportunities in different social spheres, including culture. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that the feminine sociocultural project of Las Voluminosas has been contentious, involving a type of social resistance that indicates a different way of understanding the phenomenon of fatness, femininity, skin color, and their relationship with cultural manifestations, including dance.