The Mighty Napo River – the Link Between the Andes & Amazon River
11 de septiembre de 2018
Coca, Ecuador: Gateway to the Amazon Rainforest
11 de noviembre de 2018In the remote depths of the Ecuadorian Amazon, far from the reach of cell signals or busy highways, are the fascinating and friendly Kichwa indigenous communities that have conserved their customs and traditions for centuries to maintain a simpler way of life.
Visiting these isolated communities is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is why we at Sacha Lodge have incorporated these unique intercultural experiences into all of our Amazon itineraries. A trip to Sacha Lodge not only acquaints you with the breathtaking biodiversity of the rainforest but also the fascinating lifestyles of the jungle’s most timeless residents.
The Kichwa aren’t the only indigenous population in Ecuador’s Amazon, but it is the most populous, followed closely by the Huaoroni and Shuar indigenous groups.
As petroleum extraction from the Amazon plunges deeper into the jungle and further exposes these communities to modern society, the traditional ways of life are increasingly threatened, but the travelers who eagerly want to learn about these communities’ customs help instill a sense of pride that encourages younger generations to keep their traditions alive.
A true indicator of Kichwa integration into the rest of society is bilingualism – most of the younger members of these communities speak both their native Kichwa language and Spanish, while it is not uncommon to find that elders in the community speak just Kichwa.
Traditional Kichwa Food
When you visit the Kichwa community, you will have an opportunity to work with the women of the group to prepare a meal and sample the indigenous flavors, including locally grown fruit, yuca, and plantains, and perhaps even a still wriggling chontacuro (fried palm grub)… if you’re brave enough! Wash it down with some biting aguardiente liquor or fermented chicha brew.
Handmade Crafts
Whether you’re looking for a perfect souvenir or just want an insight into the intricate handicrafts that the Kichwa make, you will have a chance to help make or simply buy clay pottery and utensils, hammocks, jewelry made from seeds, and other hand carved items.
Hunting
You also might have the chance to learn how to use an authentic blowgun, which the Kichwa learn how to hunt with from a very young age to become precision marksmen, targeting their prey in the uppermost branches of the forest. These darts are tipped with the muscle-paralyzing curare, extracted from woody vines.
Conservation
Even though we at Sacha have integrated ourselves into the fabric of the local community and strive to play our part in the conservation of this fragile and threatened jungle ecosystem, the true experts are the Kichwa, who have found ways to live in harmony with nature with virtually no impact on their surrounding environment. When you visit, you will learn how they promote these values of conservation within their community.
Shaman
The medicine man (or shaman) is one of the most important members of a Kichwa community, fluent in the best medicinal herbs and knowledgeable about the spiritual world, which can be accessed in special ayahuasca rituals. The shaman plays a vital role in the spiritual lives of the Kichwa and is happy to share their mystic traditions, ceremonies, and rituals with visitors.
