«El centro Val de San Lorenzo» en Buenos Aires: Emigración e identidad en la Maragataría (León, España)

Abstract

This paper explores the process of migration towards Latin America in Val de San Lorenzo (León, Spain) during the first half of the XX century.Drawing on ethnography and history, the study analyses the local and regional evolution of the area, the causes that triggered the migration process and, especially,the consequences that the phenomenon had in the village. This includes aspects such as socialist and liberal political influences, socioeconomic changes and sponsorship works, the industrialisation of textile industries or the transformation of material culture and dress, which informs about aspects of identity and memory in relation to architecture and modernisation. Finally, a comprehensive summary of the history of the ‘Centro Val de San Lorenzo’ in Buenos Aires, the society of local and county people created by migrants from the village is carried out.