The World of the Kichwa Salasakas

Salasaka is home to one of Ecuador’s most vibrant indigenous cultures. The Salasakas are a Kichwa-speaking mitimae group, who arrived from Bolivia during the Inca conquest.

The 21 communities of the kichwa Salasaca people are located in the Tungurahua Province, Ecuador, 13 Km. midway on the road from Ambato to Baños. They are approximately 12 thousand inhabitants and their territory measures approximately 14 km2. Salasaca people’ main demand is to be respected: that indigenous people are treated and considered as any other human being, with rights equal to those of any other individual, while, at the same time, respecting our cultural diversity.

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

In the Salasaka’s Plaza del Arte located in the center, 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 Salasaka activity is their music played traditionally on the flute and drum producing a melody reflecting the symbolic world of the Salasakas. Over the centuries the Salasakas have incorporated other sounds that complement traditional melodies, which today have allowed them to travel to foreign countries with their music, artwork an message of the Kichwa world.

Festivals
Salasaka people celebrate in June the harvest festival Inti Raymi that is celebrated in all Kichwa communities of the Sierra. However, in the Salasaka 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:

January 1: Handing over of the wand to new Varayuc
February: Carnaval
February (2nd Tuesday): Caporales
April (end of month): Kuasimodo
June (2nd week): Inti Raymi (Corpus Christi)
June (3rd 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 peoples and nationalities of Ecuador.

By: Mirian Masaquiza