Proud to be an Ecuadorian Indigenous

Anita from Otavalo migrated to work in Banos

There are fourteen types of indigenous groups in Ecuador: Tsáchila, Chachi, Epera, Awa, Kichwas, Shuar, Achuar, Shiwiar, Cofán, Siona, Secoya, Zápara, Andoa and Waorani.  The largest groups are the Kichwas, which predominantly live in the Andes and the Amazon area, and the Shuar from the lower western Amazon region.

This past weekend, I was able to visit Banos, a very touristic town in Ecuador, where several indigenous migrants from Salasaca and Otavalo live.  Due to the town's high volume of tourists, several indigenous people move to this town to sell their artisan crafts.  I was able to speak with one of the women there and asked her to share how she felt to be indigenous in Ecuador.  She said she felt very proud.