The Transcultural Edge

Abstract

Critical writing about transculturation has a long history in Latin American studies, and more recently the concept has been used to analyse the effects of globalization. This article takes as its point of departure the Latin American genealogy of the idea, and brings it together with the ecological notion of ‘edge’ intended as a transition area between different systems. By bringing transculturation and edge together this paper seeks to understand transculturation as a process in which human and non-human entities participate. It does so curating five cultural works written at the edge of academic practices, and spanning several countries, cultural formations and genres.