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Ritual cleansing and purification is a tradition in indigenous communities. These rituals often take place in the highland moors at pogyos (small natural spring waters) which are designed to catch the good energy of the water and land.
The pogyos are considered sacred sites.
The pogyos are considered sacred sites.
December 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Ritual cleansing and purification is a tradition in indigenous communities. These rituals often take place in the highland moors at pogyos (small natural spring waters) which are designed to catch the good energy of the water and land.
The pogyos are considered sacred sites.
The pogyos are considered sacred sites.
Backstrap weaving is a technique that is slowly dying. But there are still Ecuadorians who do it. José Manuel Fuerez is a very talented weaver in the Otavalo area. He is helping to keep the backstrap weaving tradition alive. José is a former student of the legendary weaver Miguel Andrango.
December 17, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Backstrap weaving is a technique that is slowly dying. But there are still Ecuadorians who do it. José Manuel Fuerez is a very talented weaver in the Otavalo area. He is helping to keep the backstrap weaving tradition alive. José is a former student of the legendary weaver Miguel Andrango.
Angochagua is a rural parish in Imbabura Province. It is southeast of Ibarra and not far from Zuleta which is famous for its embroidery. The whole area is known for embroidery and has been designated the "Ruta de los Bordados." The inhabitants try to maintain their ancestral traditions.
December 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Angochagua is a rural parish in Imbabura Province. It is southeast of Ibarra and not far from Zuleta which is famous for its embroidery. The whole area is known for embroidery and has been designated the "Ruta de los Bordados." The inhabitants try to maintain their ancestral traditions.
You never know who will answer when you knock on a door in Cotacachi.
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
You never know who will answer when you knock on a door in Cotacachi.
There are indigenous people who do modeling. It's interesting how their philosophy differs from that in other cultures. "We do not seek to compete. Our identity as indigenous people is not merchandise. It is a living culture that we seek to maintain.
December 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
There are indigenous people who do modeling. It's interesting how their philosophy differs from that in other cultures. "We do not seek to compete. Our identity as indigenous people is not merchandise. It is a living culture that we seek to maintain.
Oilbirds (tayos) are nocturnal birds that live in caves in northern areas of South America. The Amazon is not the only place where you can find oilbirds. There is also a Cueva de los Tayos in the Intag region of Imbabura Province. Oilbirds produce this high-pitched sound that could wake the dead.
December 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Oilbirds (tayos) are nocturnal birds that live in caves in northern areas of South America. The Amazon is not the only place where you can find oilbirds. There is also a Cueva de los Tayos in the Intag region of Imbabura Province. Oilbirds produce this high-pitched sound that could wake the dead.
The various faces of Mama Cotacachi, as seen from different viewpoints. The first is at sunrise, as seen from town several years ago. The second photo shows the mountain on the drive between Cuicocha and Intag. The third photo shows Mama Cotacachi as seen near Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park.
December 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The various faces of Mama Cotacachi, as seen from different viewpoints. The first is at sunrise, as seen from town several years ago. The second photo shows the mountain on the drive between Cuicocha and Intag. The third photo shows Mama Cotacachi as seen near Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park.
18th Century illustration of Cotacachi. The town was founded in 1544 by Friar Pedro de la Peña. He was a Dominican priest who later became a Bishop of Quito.
So what does Cotacachi mean? According to some, it's a reference to the town's once-thriving salt market.
So what does Cotacachi mean? According to some, it's a reference to the town's once-thriving salt market.
December 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
18th Century illustration of Cotacachi. The town was founded in 1544 by Friar Pedro de la Peña. He was a Dominican priest who later became a Bishop of Quito.
So what does Cotacachi mean? According to some, it's a reference to the town's once-thriving salt market.
So what does Cotacachi mean? According to some, it's a reference to the town's once-thriving salt market.
It's estimated there are 10,000 merchants and musicians from the Otavalo area working overseas. They are considered the cultural ambassadors of Ecuador. Many people around the world get their first exposure to Ecuadorian culture through them.
November 30, 2025 at 7:57 AM
It's estimated there are 10,000 merchants and musicians from the Otavalo area working overseas. They are considered the cultural ambassadors of Ecuador. Many people around the world get their first exposure to Ecuadorian culture through them.
Some of my neighbors in Cotacachi. My wife and I adopted the orange-colored cat in the middle when he was older.
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Some of my neighbors in Cotacachi. My wife and I adopted the orange-colored cat in the middle when he was older.
The Yumbos were an ancient people in Ecuador. The Danza de los Yumbos is an ancestral dance of pre-Spanish origin. Try picking up a cup of chicha this way! Only a few villages in the Cotacachi area still perform this dance: Cumbas Conde and San Nicolás.
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Yumbos were an ancient people in Ecuador. The Danza de los Yumbos is an ancestral dance of pre-Spanish origin. Try picking up a cup of chicha this way! Only a few villages in the Cotacachi area still perform this dance: Cumbas Conde and San Nicolás.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The true India is to be found not in its few cities, but in its seven hundred thousand villages." Ecuador is a little like that. Around Cotacachi and Otavalo, there are dozens of villages and communes where many of the indigenous live.
November 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The true India is to be found not in its few cities, but in its seven hundred thousand villages." Ecuador is a little like that. Around Cotacachi and Otavalo, there are dozens of villages and communes where many of the indigenous live.
When I first came to Ecuador, I was surprised to find that artichokes grew so well in the Andes. I had always thought they needed a lower elevation. But they do quite well at close to 8,000 feet above sea level.
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
When I first came to Ecuador, I was surprised to find that artichokes grew so well in the Andes. I had always thought they needed a lower elevation. But they do quite well at close to 8,000 feet above sea level.
Photos of Taita Imbabura at sunrise, taken over the years.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Photos of Taita Imbabura at sunrise, taken over the years.
It used to be a common sight in Cotacachi to see people traveling around town with goats. You could get goat's milk delivered right to your doorstep.
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It used to be a common sight in Cotacachi to see people traveling around town with goats. You could get goat's milk delivered right to your doorstep.
An indigenous wedding I once went to in Cotacachi. The wedding was like many Christian weddings, including the throwing of rice at the newlyweds as they left the church. Many indigenous people are Christians. Kichwa weddings often have a washing ceremony the next day.
November 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
An indigenous wedding I once went to in Cotacachi. The wedding was like many Christian weddings, including the throwing of rice at the newlyweds as they left the church. Many indigenous people are Christians. Kichwa weddings often have a washing ceremony the next day.
On November 2, Ecuadorians will observe Día de los Difuntos, known as Día de los Muertos in other countries. It's when people visit the cemeteries and pay their respects to deceased loved ones. Sharing drinks and food, cleaning the graves, praying and singing are some of the traditions .
November 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
On November 2, Ecuadorians will observe Día de los Difuntos, known as Día de los Muertos in other countries. It's when people visit the cemeteries and pay their respects to deceased loved ones. Sharing drinks and food, cleaning the graves, praying and singing are some of the traditions .
On the mountains of Otavalo, the Condor Park Foundation opens its doors to the research, rescue, preservation and reintroduction into the wild of birds of prey, owls and the famous Andean condor, which live in special habitats for their optimal recovery and growth. The place is called Parque Condor.
October 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
On the mountains of Otavalo, the Condor Park Foundation opens its doors to the research, rescue, preservation and reintroduction into the wild of birds of prey, owls and the famous Andean condor, which live in special habitats for their optimal recovery and growth. The place is called Parque Condor.
Mama Cotacachi is the tallest mountain in Imbabura Province at 16,250 feet above sea level. It's more than a thousand feet taller than Taita Imbabura. It's not the easier mountain to climb. Five years ago, two mountain guides were killed in a rockslide.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVEd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVEd...
Cotacachi
YouTube video by Nestor David Acosta Guijarro
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Mama Cotacachi is the tallest mountain in Imbabura Province at 16,250 feet above sea level. It's more than a thousand feet taller than Taita Imbabura. It's not the easier mountain to climb. Five years ago, two mountain guides were killed in a rockslide.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVEd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVEd...
It measures about 8 centimeters, is epiphytic (that is, it grows on other plants) and has flowers in shades of yellow and pale green: it is Telipogon villonacoensis, a species recently described by scientists. The first specimen of the orchid was discovered in Loja in 2023.
October 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
It measures about 8 centimeters, is epiphytic (that is, it grows on other plants) and has flowers in shades of yellow and pale green: it is Telipogon villonacoensis, a species recently described by scientists. The first specimen of the orchid was discovered in Loja in 2023.
The Union of Campesino and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC) led a peaceful march through the streets of Cotacachi. This mobilization took place, despite the fact that the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) declared the end of the national mobilizations.
October 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The Union of Campesino and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC) led a peaceful march through the streets of Cotacachi. This mobilization took place, despite the fact that the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) declared the end of the national mobilizations.
The only known specimen of the Phyllophaga sumacoensis beetle, a species new to science, was discovered at an altitude of 1,750 meters in Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo province. Scientists used a light trap to attract the individual.
www.eluniverso.com/noticias/inf...
www.eluniverso.com/noticias/inf...
October 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The only known specimen of the Phyllophaga sumacoensis beetle, a species new to science, was discovered at an altitude of 1,750 meters in Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo province. Scientists used a light trap to attract the individual.
www.eluniverso.com/noticias/inf...
www.eluniverso.com/noticias/inf...
Midwives are still very much a part of Ecuador's culture, especially in rural areas. In Imbabura Province, some midwives will demonstrate how they deliver babies, using a volunteer and a baby doll. In rural Kichwa communities, the expectant mother gives birth while squatting.
September 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Midwives are still very much a part of Ecuador's culture, especially in rural areas. In Imbabura Province, some midwives will demonstrate how they deliver babies, using a volunteer and a baby doll. In rural Kichwa communities, the expectant mother gives birth while squatting.
A group of scientists described a new species of orchid found in the Río Manduriacu reserve, located in the Toisán mountain range, Imbabura Province. This is Porroglossum hildea, identified only in two locations in the reserve and with an estimated area of just 4 km².
September 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A group of scientists described a new species of orchid found in the Río Manduriacu reserve, located in the Toisán mountain range, Imbabura Province. This is Porroglossum hildea, identified only in two locations in the reserve and with an estimated area of just 4 km².
Today is National Flag Day in Ecuador. Students throughout the country swear allegiance to the flag and vow to defend the Tricolor in all emergencies. During a ceremony, students hold the flag while kneeling, making an oath to the banner (Juramento a la Bandera).
September 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Today is National Flag Day in Ecuador. Students throughout the country swear allegiance to the flag and vow to defend the Tricolor in all emergencies. During a ceremony, students hold the flag while kneeling, making an oath to the banner (Juramento a la Bandera).