Tsáchila
The
Tsáchila indigenous group have a population of about 2,000 and are
located in the forest at the western foot of the Andes mountains.
They used to be called the "Colorados" because of their
way of combing and coloring their hair with achiote. They
speak tsafiqui, a language which is related to the Awa and Chachi.
The
name "Tsáchila" means the "true people" and
are the best know Indigenous people in the coastal region. The Tsáchila
became a tourist curiosity because of their stunning red body paint.
Until the 1950s, when there was a road built through their territory
and the area bagan to be colonized, the Tsáchila tribe remained
isolated from the outside world and it's troubles. Now, more than
the other coastal tribes, they have been integrated into the export-oriented
agricultural economy and are quickly losing their traditions and
culture.
Chachi
The
Chachi people add up to about 4000, 600 of who live in communities.
Their territory is bordered by four rivers and so are well known
for making canoes and traditional basket weaving. Their traditional
language is similar to that of the Awa and Tsáchila.
The
Chachi (traditionally called "Cayapas") often have troubles
over limited resources with the Afro-Ecuadorians who occupy the
same region. According to Chachi tradition, they are originally
from the province of Imbabura in the highlands, but fled toward
the coast when faced with Incan and Spanish conquests. Traditionally
their economy was based on hunting, gathering and fishing, but now
they take part in agriculture, both for household consumption as
well as growing coffee and cocoa for export. They are organized
into twenty-eight centers which are grouped into the Federación
de Centros Chachi del Ecuador (FECCHE, Federation of Chachi Centers
of Ecuador).
Awa-Kwaiker
The
Awa-Kwaiker are located in the northwest of Ecuador between the
Mira and San Juan rivers in the province of Carchi. Other Awa communities
are also located in the province of Imbabura, Esmeraldas and some
in Colombia. They number about 1600. Their language (Awapi) forms
part of the same linguistic family as the Chachi and Tsáchila. "Awa"
means "people," but they are often called Kwaiker or Coaiquer
sharing the name with a small Colombian town that is nearby their
communities.
Afro-Ecuadorian
There
are approximately 500,000 Afro-Ecuadorians located mainly in the province
of Esmeraldas and the Valley of Chota. Their presence in Ecuador goes
back to 1550, when there was a shipwrecked slave ship off the coasts
of Ecuador. |
Ecuador
Tours
Ecuador-Pictures
About
Us
Contact
Us
