Purgatory and Utopia

Book excerpt: The conflict between a people's determination to preserve their socio-cultural identity and the aspiration toward technological progress and knowledge has become common in the age of globalization. One people that has remarkably kept a balance between tradition and progress are the Mazahuas of Central Mexico. Purgatory and Utopia, now available in paperback, describes how the Mazahuas have preserved their cultural identity and some of their ancient social institutions, while at the same time modifying their lifestyles, in a gradual, natural way.