KICHWA SALASACA PEOPLE - ECUADOR

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Salasaca is home to one of Ecuador’s most vibrant indigenous cultures. The Salasacas are a Kichwa-speaking mitimae group, who arrived from Bolivia during the Inca conquest and settled at the foot of the Mountain Teligote, in present day they live in the Tungurahua Province, midway on the road from Ambato to Baños (The door of the Amazon).

ART

The Salasacas work principally in agriculture and handicrafts, which begin learning these activities at a very young age. One identifiable culture characteristic of the Salasacas is their tapestries of the designs and motifs hand-woven on looms. Many of the tapestry designs narrate aspects of their lives.

In the Salasaca’s Plaza Central especially Sundays you can fin tapestries, ponchos, sweaters, woven bags, sashes, hats and other items hand-made by Salasacas as well as products from Peru and Bolivia

MUSIC

Another notable Salasaca activity is their music played traditionally on the flute and drum producing a melody reflecting the symbolic world of the Salasacas. Over the centuries the Salasacas have incorporated other sounds that complement traditional melodies, which today has allowed them to travel to foreign countries with their music, artwork an message of the Kichwa world.

Images: Los Kjarkas from Bolivia, visiting Salsaca.

FESTIVALS

Salasaca people celebrate in June the harvest festival Inti Raymi that is celebrated in all Kichwa communities of the Sierra. However, in the Salasaca festival circuit, one individual of particular importance is the Alcalde or Varayuc, who carries a wand representing power and authority within the community.

The following is a listing of traditional Salasaca festivals:

Month Festival

January 1 Handing over of the wand to new Varayuc

February Carnaval

February (2^nd Tuesday) Caporales

April (end of month) Kuasimodo

June (2^nd week) Corpus Christi

June (3^rd week) Octava Grande

August 15 Pendoneros

November 2-3 Day of the Dead

December 5-7 Capitanes

During Day of the Dead celebration Salasaca host the Andean music and dance festival TZAWAR MISHKI, which gather to all the indigenous communities of Ecuador.

Mirian Masaquiza Jerez

mirianmj@hotmail.com