History and Culture
History
Ecuador was formed by the northern highland tribes. They created the Kingdom of Quito. It eventually joined, by conquest and marriage, the Inca Empire. It was then conquered by Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador, in 1532. All throughout the 17th century, the Spanish colony flourished there. It was not until 1809 that there was a revolt against the Spanish. Following this revolt, Ecuador joined the confederacy of Greater Columbia in 1819, which included Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama.
Ecuador became independent only after Greater Columbia collapsed in 1830. Ecuador had 48 presidents in the first 131 years of the republic. Conservatives ruled over Ecuador until the revolution of 1895. The revolution brought with it liberal views of freedom of speech, worship, and press. Although the country is a democracy, it has been largely unsuccessful in the last 30 years due to a weak executive branch and a strong Congress.
In 1941, Peru invaded Ecuador and seized a large portion of disputed land in the Amazon region. From 1981 to 1995 war broke out again, and it was not until May of 1999 that Ecuador and Peru signed a treaty to end the 60-year border dispute.
Culture
Ecuador’s population is primarily mestizo, which is a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry. The other 10% are of European descent (i.e., Spain, Italy, Lebanon, France, or Germany). About 95% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic. The indigenous people blend Christianity with indigenous customs.
The country can be divided into three geographical regions; the Costa (coast), the Sierra (mountains), and the Oriente (Amazon). There are extreme culture differences between the Coast and the Sierra, so some tension does exist between the residents of each region.
Most Ecuadorians speak Spanish. Ecuadorians also speak Amerindian indigenous languages such as Kichwa, the Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua. Other Amerindian languages spoken include Awapit, A'ingae, Shuar, Chicham, Achuar-Shiwiar, Cha'palaachi, Tsa'fiki, Paicoca, and Wao Tededeo. Each region has a different variety of accent, with different specific terms.
The Kichwa people, located in the central Sierra region, are well known for their traditional paintings on sheepskin canvases. Their paintings can be found for sale all over Ecuador today. Most paintings depict scenes of religious ceremonies.
Ecuador was formed by the northern highland tribes. They created the Kingdom of Quito. It eventually joined, by conquest and marriage, the Inca Empire. It was then conquered by Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador, in 1532. All throughout the 17th century, the Spanish colony flourished there. It was not until 1809 that there was a revolt against the Spanish. Following this revolt, Ecuador joined the confederacy of Greater Columbia in 1819, which included Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama.
Ecuador became independent only after Greater Columbia collapsed in 1830. Ecuador had 48 presidents in the first 131 years of the republic. Conservatives ruled over Ecuador until the revolution of 1895. The revolution brought with it liberal views of freedom of speech, worship, and press. Although the country is a democracy, it has been largely unsuccessful in the last 30 years due to a weak executive branch and a strong Congress.
In 1941, Peru invaded Ecuador and seized a large portion of disputed land in the Amazon region. From 1981 to 1995 war broke out again, and it was not until May of 1999 that Ecuador and Peru signed a treaty to end the 60-year border dispute.
Culture
Ecuador’s population is primarily mestizo, which is a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry. The other 10% are of European descent (i.e., Spain, Italy, Lebanon, France, or Germany). About 95% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic. The indigenous people blend Christianity with indigenous customs.
The country can be divided into three geographical regions; the Costa (coast), the Sierra (mountains), and the Oriente (Amazon). There are extreme culture differences between the Coast and the Sierra, so some tension does exist between the residents of each region.
Most Ecuadorians speak Spanish. Ecuadorians also speak Amerindian indigenous languages such as Kichwa, the Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua. Other Amerindian languages spoken include Awapit, A'ingae, Shuar, Chicham, Achuar-Shiwiar, Cha'palaachi, Tsa'fiki, Paicoca, and Wao Tededeo. Each region has a different variety of accent, with different specific terms.
The Kichwa people, located in the central Sierra region, are well known for their traditional paintings on sheepskin canvases. Their paintings can be found for sale all over Ecuador today. Most paintings depict scenes of religious ceremonies.
Family is very important to Ecuadorians. Unlike in most western countries, the elderly are not placed in care facilities. In fact, it is the responsibility of the child to take care of the elderly parents. Godparents are also very important to Ecuadorians. The godparents are a source of financial and psychological support for godchildren.
Traditionally women are responsible for raising the children, and the husbands play an inactive role. Girls also tend to be more protected by their parents than boys. Ecuadorians, like most Latin American countries, have quinceañeras.
Ecuadorian cuisine varies from region to region. Costeños prefer fish, beans, and plantains, while serranos prefer meat, rice, and white hominy mote. Ecuadorians place a greater importance on lunch time meals than dinner, as is done in Western culture. Examples of specific dishes that can be found in Ecuadorian cuisine include patacones, llapingachos, seco de chivo, and fanesca.
Traditionally women are responsible for raising the children, and the husbands play an inactive role. Girls also tend to be more protected by their parents than boys. Ecuadorians, like most Latin American countries, have quinceañeras.
Ecuadorian cuisine varies from region to region. Costeños prefer fish, beans, and plantains, while serranos prefer meat, rice, and white hominy mote. Ecuadorians place a greater importance on lunch time meals than dinner, as is done in Western culture. Examples of specific dishes that can be found in Ecuadorian cuisine include patacones, llapingachos, seco de chivo, and fanesca.