Heritage without an heir

Abstract

Based on data from ethnographic research, this paper reports how the transmission of practical know-how results from embodied intentionality and perpetuates social, cultural, and historical structures. The studied family business context shows that the process of know-how transmission follows specific intentionality explained through traditional relations. Although such know-how guides a relatively simple production system, the fact that most people involved in it do not achieve complete mastery indicates that the transference of this embodied knowledge is more than the willingness or interest to teach and learn this practice.