Otavalos

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Women in traditional costume in Cotacachi , Ecuador
The Otavalos march to Inti Raymi in Cotacachi.

Otavalos or Otavaleños is the name of the indigenous Kichwa groups who make up the majority of the population in the cities of Otavalo , Cotacachi and the surrounding villages ( Atuntaqui , Peguche, etc.) in the Ecuadorian province of Imbabura . In the cantons of Ibarra and Antonio Ante , too , the Otavalos make up a significant proportion of the total population. Officials in Ecuador estimate that there are around 65,000 Otavalos.

The language of the Otavalos is the Kichwa of Imbabura ( Quichua imbabureño ), a Quechua dialect. The Otavalos are internationally known for their woven goods , textiles and other handicrafts . Their manufacture and worldwide trade helped many Otavalos to prosper, and they are now considered to be the wealthiest indigenous people in Latin America . The Otavalo handicraft market is the most important in South America . The Otavalos have also become known through a number of music groups from their ranks that go on tour, particularly in Europe and the USA . Because of this fame, the Otavalos represent the parade example of the South American highland Indians for many people.

The Otavalos are also well organized politically and provide the mayor of the cantons of Otavalo and Cotacachi. Should there ever be a first indigenous president in Ecuador, many believe it will be an Otavalo. None of this should hide the discrimination against the Otavalos by the Mestizo population and the poverty typical of South American indigenous people, especially in rural areas.

literature

  • Germán Patricio Lema A .: Los Otavalos, cultura y tradición milenaria. Ediciones Abya Yala, Quito 1995, ISBN 9978-04-124-9 .
  • Centro de Estudios Pluriculturales CEPCU: Plan de manejo integral de la cuenca del Imbakucha. Otavalo 2001.

Web links