01422nas a2200145   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002100002900043700003400072245010500106300001200211490000700223520103200230022001401262                                       d1 aElvira Iveth Perez-Lopez1 aElia del Carmen Mendez-Garcia00aGeneral aspects of uncontrolled urbanization and creation of irregular settlements in Cancun, Mexico  a192-2180 v243 aDespite the fact that artisans have been recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage, their living conditions remain mostly precarious, which limits the permanence of their work. However, those who continue with the artisan work reproduce the meanings of their work and favor the local economy. The objective of the research is to analyze the ways of life of the Atzompa potters in two dimensions: culture and territory. The field research was done through a qualitative study from January 2017 to December 2019. The techniques used were participative observation over a festive year, which was carried out in six workshops with 77 craftsmen and 15 in-depth interviews. The research revealed that potters replicate material and symbolic life, create an allowance for their livelihood and to allow their families autonomy, to maintain their craft s learning, teaching, spirituality, self-recognition and pride of being a potter. These meanings give sense to be a potter and, therefore, contribute to their permanence.  a0123-4471