It is said that history is more than a series of events in the past, is the consciousness that has transcended those events that gives value and meaning to certain facts, communities or places.
Thus, it is necessary to make an approach to this history, formed by past and present culture, full of knowledge and ancestral wisdom, to understand the complexity of our civilization.
In the territory of what is now Ecuador have historically settled many civilizations, as it was a very coveted land for its strategic position in the equator.
The history of the inhabitants of Ecuador dates back to 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, with the first inhabitants who were in coast, mountains and amazon and who based their life in close relationship with nature and allow them a religion closely related to natural phenomena. This continued, with the arrival of the Incas and later conquerors. Now, this history has become part of what we are as Ecuadorians.
During this history, humans were forming organized groups with laws, religion, language, ways of government of their own, which has made that we have today 12 different nationalities and 19 indigenous communities. Each nationality with its own language and territory, having in Ecuador 13 ancestral languages (14 if we take the Andes Kichwa and the Amazon Kichwa as two different languages).
With the latest amendment to the Constitution of Ecuador, it is recognized as a plurinational multicultural state and also recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples and the respect and promotion of their culture, among other rights.
The ecuadorian Indigenous still maintain their customs, worldview, religion, clothing and traditional practices and increasingly, these are considered an alternative for survival.
Next, indigenous communities and nationalities of Ecuador:
Cofan or A’I (by self-designation). They live in the province of Sucumbios northern border in the amazon, the community is led by its leader or shaman. Their language is A’ingae.
Siona. They live in the province of Sucumbios, in widely dispersed groups. In total there are between 350 and 400 Sionas. Their language is Paicoca. Their existence is threatened by the expansion of extractive activities (such as oil, wood) which reduces its territory and does not allow them to develop their hunting and fishing.
Shiwiar. They live in the east end of the Pastaza province, southern border in the amazon. Their language is Shiwiar Chicham. There are approximately 700 Shiwiar.
Secoya. They live about 380 inhabitants in the amazon province of Sucumbios. Their language is Paicoca. They live by hunting and traditional medicine practice.
Zápara or Zaparoa (by self-designation). They live in the province of Pastaza about 1300 people. Their language is Záparo.
Andoa. They live in the Pastaza province, about 800 Andoas. A legend tells about the ancestral relationship of women with the Pottery Goddess, who taught this art and therefore they are very skilled at handicrafts.
Shuar. They live in the Amazonian provinces of Morona Santiago, Pastaza and Zamora Chinchipe approximately 110000 Shuar. Known for the ancestral practice of shrinking heads, performed as part of a practice of war between tribes. Their language is the Shuar, the third official language in Ecuador.
Waorani or Wao (by self-designation). Their language is Wao Terero, and approximately there are 3,000 Waorani living in the amazonian provinces of Napo, Orellana and Pastaza. They are very related to Western civilization, as they have faced the invasion of the oil companies in their territory. Are also organized to provide community-based tourism.
Épera. They live in the province of Esmeraldas coasts. There are about 390 inhabitants. Their language is siapadee.
Tsa’chila or Tsa’chi (by self-designation). They live in the coastal province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and their language is Tsa’fiqui.
Chachi. They live in the coastal province of Esmeraldas. Their language is Chá palaa, and their popultaion is of about 8000 inhabitants.
Awa. About 3500 Awa live in the northern part of the coastal province of Esmeraldas. Their language is Awapit.
Kichwa of the Highlands. This great nationality, covers the Otavalos, Panzaleos, Kisapinchas, Natabuelas, Kayambis, Chibuleos, Warankas, Puruwás, Kañaris, Paltas, Saraguros, Pastos, Karankis, Kitu Karas and Salasakas, all united by the Kichwa language (second official language) and the common legacy of dispossession of their ancestral lands.
Kichwa of the Amazon. They live in the amazonian provinces of Napo and Sucumbios. In times of conquest, they migrated to different parts of the jungle and took refuge there and formed their communities.
Mantas – Huancavilcas. Although different, they are considered together for their similar practices in commerce. They are a pre-Columbian culture that has survived. Approximately 100000 inhabitants live from the coastal province of Manabi to the Guayas province.
Afro-Ecuadorians. They live in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Imbabura and Carchi, since the seventeenth century. Are scattered around the country, their language is catellano and they struggle to maintain and promote their cultural practices through education and communitarian tourism.
* Some information was taken from the CONAIE