The trades of the "beehive" ovens in a lime producing town in Colombia: intangible heritage at risk of vanishing

Abstract This paper addresses, in a very condensed form, the beehive oven trades in the town of Vijes, Valle del Cauca (Colombia). In order to show the evolution of these ovens, this study starts by examining the origin of the ovens, their original construction and evolution over time, as well as an overview of the traditional lime industry. Thereafter, the paper examines the crafts, work cultures, social practices and the industry’s decline as a result of the economic, social and environmental crisis faced by Vijes and its traditional lime industry, which involves all sectors of the local population and also the ethical crisis implicating the political class that controls the power in the municipality. Finally, the study proposes an alternative to overcome the crisis, which can be addressed through a comprehensive recovery project (economic, social, environmental and cultural), whose direct beneficiaries are the population of the municipality and its social organizations.