Culture

The population of Ecuador is a pot pourri of difference ethnicities with 55% of the population belonging to mestizo (i.e. mixed indigenous - Caucasian), 25% being Indigenous, 10% of the people belonging to Caucasian, 9% African, and 1 % of various other races and ethnicities. Today the population is divided between the Andes highlands region and the coastal areas, as compared to few decades ago. Population in major cities like Quito and Quayaquil has increased greatly in the recent years owing to large sale migration from rural to urban areas. The least populated area of Ecuador's continental region lies towards the east of the mountains. It houses just 3% of the total population of Ecuador.

Ecuadorian society boasts of a heady mix of various cultures, both ancient and modern. You can get a feel of both the past and the future in this country. There are coastal fishing villages, rolling plantations, overcrowded marketplaces, Amazonian and colonial cities, and all of these together represent the diversity of Ecuadorian culture.

Ecuador's Indigenous population consists of eleven distinct races. The Andean Quichua people have the largest population among the Indigenous people. The Salasacas, Saraguros, and Otavalenos are also a part of the Indigenous population of Ecuador and are descendents of the ancient Incas. The Ecuadorian Andes is the traditional home of these people.

The rainforest of Ecuador in the Amazon basin is home to different ethnic groups such as the lowland Quichua, Siona, Shuar, Achuar, Secoya, Zapari, Cofan and the Huaorani. Like the highlands, the Amazon basin is also rich in indigenous culture. Modern beliefs and industrialization notwithstanding, the traditional shamanistic rituals still prevail in these parts.

Apart from the various native cultures, a big chunk of Ecuadorian population is Mestizo or mixed indigenous and Caucasian. A good-sized portion of the population (Approximately half a million) is of Afro-Ecuadorian origin. These are the descendents of the slaves who worked on the sugar plantations. The marimba music and dance festivals of Afro-Ecuadorians are very popular.

Ecuador has not lost its distinct flavor over the years, primarily because of the people, which make up the character of the city along with the place and the sites. The city of Banos is famous for its hot springs and great climate. The friendly and helpful locals of Otavalo make your stay in the city a memorable one. Quito is Ecuador's capital city, and over the years has grown into a cosmopolitan nerve center with characteristic small town hospitality.

A. Music

Owing to the diverse mix of various cultures many forms of music are found over here. Fold music is the life of Ecuadorian culture. Each region has its own distinct flavor of music for instance the coastal regions are known for their folk dances and dance music. Amor fino is a very popular type of song in Ecuador. Various dance forms, which are native to the country, are pasillo, pasacalle and yarabi. The most popular of these is the yarabi, which is a very sentimental. The pasacalle, which is normally down tempo, is played to a flute while the pasillo is accompanied by the guitar and rondin.

The marimba is a distinctive element in the folk music of northwestern Ecuador. The marimba is actually a West African instrument. Even after many years of being used in Ecuadorian music, it has not been subject to any modifications in construction or design. It is more prevalent in Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Imbabura, Carchi, and Guayas. The Afro-Ecuadorian tradition also introduced the music styles bunde and torbellino to Ecuador. Like in almost all South American countries, rock music is really popular here too.

Various folk music instruments such as the conunos, guasa and the bombos, and dance forms like bambuco have originated from Esmeraldas. Guitars, maracas and guiros are often played along with the bomba, which is a highly popular music form. The people of the Chota River valley are also famous for the bandas mochas.

The music of the native people of the Ecuadorian highlands is still largely ceremonial or ritualistic. It includes various wind instruments such as the pifano and pinkullo flutes, and the guaramo horn. There are also many guitar and brass bands performing in and around the region. The rondador, a small panpipe is one of the unique instruments you could come across. Ensembles consist of brass bands, guitar trios and wind instruments.

The albazo style of music is typical to the rocky Andean mountainous region of Ecuador, which is called the Sierra. The Otavalo people are famous the world over for their music. Different types of folk rhythms are cachullapi, yumbo, danzante and sanjuanito. Popular artists like Peublo Nuevo and Jatari have helped to spread and popularize this kind of music.

In 1993, the Fundación de Desarrollo Social Afroecuatoriano (AZUCAR) was established. It conducts various music, dance as well as handicrafts related workshops for people of all ages.

There are plenty of annual music festivals in Ecuador, which are celebrated by almost all villages in honor of a Roman Catholic Saint. In particular, the festival of San Antonio de Pichincha is especially famous.

B. Language

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Ecuador. A sizable chunk of the population also speaks Amerindian languages like Kichwa, which is the Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua. Amerindian languages such as Cha'palaachi, Awapit, A'ingae, Shuar Chicham, Achuar-Shiwiar, Wao Tededo, Paicoca, and Tsa'fiki are also spoken by many of the people here. Ecuadorian Spanish differs slightly from the way Spanish is spoken universally. Several typical gestures are used in Ecuador. For example, while giving directions lifting up the chin would indicate "up the street" and lowering the chin would indicate "down the street".

C. Religious Practices

A vast majority of the population of Ecuador is Roman Catholic. Christianity is the prevalent religion in Ecuador so much so that the Church is considered the third pillar of Ecuadorian society after the military and the government. There are around 3,000 different religious groups, societies, foundations, and Christian fraternities registered with the General Registry of Religious Entities. Some people, especially indigenous ethnic groups residing in the mountains follow a different kind of Catholicism, one that unites the indigenous belief with Catholic principles. They worship their saints just as indigenous gods were worshipped.

There are many Christian groups actively carrying out their work in the country like the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the Gospel Missionary Union. These groups and alliances have been in the country for many years now. There are various protestant groups other than the ones mentioned above such as the Evangelical Group and World Vision. The Summer Institute of Linguistics was established for the purpose of translating the Bible into indigenous languages.

Protestantism has seen massive growth in the poor and neglected rural areas of the country.

The indigenous people in the Sierra regions of Chimborazo and Pichincha, who used to follow syncretic religions, are not converted to Protestantism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Southern Baptists, and Jehovah's Witnesses successfully converted indigenous people and poor people marginalized by the society to Protestantism.

Besides Christianity, the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Rosicrucian, Muslim, and the Church of Scientology also have some following in the country. Other Christian sects like the Anglican, Assembly of God, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Lutheran are also followed by some of the population. Recently, some new religious groups like the followers of the Incan Sun God, Inti, and the Native American churches of Itzachilatan have also gained followers here.

D. Major Events

Carnival

The carnival is one of the biggest celebrations in the South American Catholic countries. The celebration takes place just prior to Lent. Though, not quite as grand as those in other Latin American nations, the carnival here is nevertheless a sight to behold. Celebrations during the carnivals have water fights and impressive parades. In Ecuador, the carnival takes place before Ash Wednesday and there generally is an extended weekend at the time of the Carnival. The best place to experience the Carnival is Ambato, which is famous for its fruit and flower parade.

Month: between March and April

Easter and Holy Week

There are religious processions during this week. Beaches are typically crowded during this time. There is a never-ending supply of a typical, Ecuadorian stew called fanesca during this week. Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday are observed here. Despite Holy Saturday being the only officially declared holiday, don't expect many businesses to be open on the other days too as this depends on the individual owners discretion.

Month: March and/or April

Labor Day

There are Labor Day parades to honor workers around the world.

Date: May 1st

Battle of Pichincha

The country's most significant war for independence from Spain was waged on this day. Both military and civilian parades are taken out as a symbol of the country's pride.

Date: May 24th

Corpus Cristi

In the month of June this event, serves as both a religious holiday as well as a celebration of the harvest in the highlands. Dancing and ceremonies are a part of the fest.

Founder's Day, Guayaquil

Everything in the city of Guayaquil is closed down for two days in order to celebrate the birthday of Simón Bolívar and the foundation of the most populated city in Ecuador's

Date: July 25th

Quito Independence Day

Date: August 10th

Harvest Festivals

Many harvest festivals are celebrated all through Ecuador during the month of September.

Our Lady of Mercy Festival (Latacunga)

There are religious processions in addition to parades and parties.

Date: September 23rd - 24th

Guayaquil Independence Day

This again is a multi day festival, combining Independence Day and Columbus Day.

Date: October 9th

Columbus Day

This day is celebrated in honor of Christopher Columbus who first landed on American soil on this day itself.

Date: October 12

Fiesta del Yamor

The people in the highlands of Otavalo celebrate this festival annually.

Date: September 1-15

All Saints' Day

Date: November 1st

All Soul's Day (Day of the Dead)

This is the day on which families honor their deceased family members and friends by visiting cemeteries. It is a day set aside specifically for remembering the dear and near ones who have passed away and pray for their souls to rest in peace.

Date: November 2nd

Cuenca Independence Day

The Independence Day is the last of three fun filled days of celebrations and merry-making. This is the city's biggest celebration.

Date: November 3rd

Year's End Celebrations

People of the whole country make preparations to enter a brand new year by burning human figurines.

Date: December 28th to 31st

E. Etiquette / Do's and Don'ts

- Do not whistle, yawn or yell for getting another person's attention. It is deemed to be impolite.

Do's

- Learning a little Spanish can be helpful.

- It is expected that you greet people at restaurants and markets.

- You greet a woman in Ecuador with a kiss on the right cheek.

- While greeting men, a handshake is considered appropriate.

- During business meets and also while meeting indigenous persons, a handshake is the accepted form of greeting.

- Dress appropriately when going to a nice restaurant.

- It is advisable for men to wear collared shirts and no hats while going out at night.

- Women can wear stylish and clean garments. Pants are also considered appropriate attire for them.

- When staying with a host for a long time, remember to bring a memento from your town.

- Table manners in Ecuador are not very rigid. In fact, sharing tables at restaurants is common practice.

Don'ts

- Try not to wear ragged and old travel clothes.

- It is not customary for men to go bare-chested in public. Likewise, women should not travel in public in swimsuits or even sports bras.

- Don't make Tel calls to mobiles from landlines, as they tend to be very expensive.

- Electricity is also expensive. So, if you are staying with a host, avoid taking very long hot showers so as to limit the consumption of electricity.