GUANGALA CULTURE: CHARACTERISTICS, ECONOMY, ART, RELIGION - HISTORY - 2024

The c ulture Guangala developed in parts of the territory of the current Ecuador. Historically it has been framed in the period of the so-called Regional Development, which took place between the years 300/200 BC to 700/800 AD Some authors point out that they received a great cultural influence from the previous Chorrera culture.

Its main characteristic is the formation of a series of socially organized cultural groups. These are called lordships and ended up developing a hierarchical structure. Although it is not possible to speak properly of borders, if there were differences between the different settlements.

Source: Walters Art Museum, undefined

This culture stood out, especially, for its ceramics. The remains found suggest that they possessed great mastery. They were the first in the area to use polychrome and their anthropomorphic representations were, at times, very realistic. Likewise, they are regarded as excellent metalworkers.

Its economy was based mainly on agriculture, with hunting and fishing as secondary elements. The Guangala, although they did not practice trade, did exchange merchandise as part of their economic activity.

characteristics

The Guangala culture collected many of the cultural characteristics of the Chorrera. Their settlements, small at first, grew over time thanks to the improvement of agricultural techniques.

There are few data on their original social organization, although it is known that they developed a hierarchical structure. Given their belief system, it is likely that the shaman was part of the elite of the lordships.

Lordships

With influences, as indicated by the Chorrera culture, the Guangala is part of the period known as Regional Development, with a dating between 500 BC to 500 AD

At that time a series of cultural groups appeared that, due to the way they were organized, have received the name of lordships. The most widespread theory is that in each of these lordships the figure of a leader (Lord) emerged who went on to govern the settlement, leaving the rest of the population under his command.

Despite the fact that quite a few of these lordships existed, there is no evidence that organizational elements and feelings of belonging comparable to the “nationalities” appeared.

On the other hand, the cultural differences shown by the archaeological finds do allow us to affirm that there were enough variations to speak of “cultural borders”.

Sitting pattern

The settlements created by the Guangala culture were increasing in size over time. The key to this growth was the development of agriculture, which provided more food for the inhabitants.

In this way, semi-urban centers of considerable size for the time appeared. Although there is not much data, it is thought that the houses were built with walls of reeds and mud, while the roofs were thatched.

Feeding

According to specialists, the diet of the inhabitants of these settlements was essentially based on agriculture. Corn was the most common product, accompanied by other vegetables such as squash or squash.

It is also known that they began to practice fishing and hunting successfully. In the first case, the diet took advantage of the capture of crustaceans and shellfish, mainly. As for land animals, the most frequent prey were deer, turtles, some types of monkeys and armadillos.

Social organization

There are no references about what Guangala society was like in its origins. It is not possible to know with the current data if it was egalitarian or if there were already social differences.

If it is known, on the other hand, that with the growth of urban centers a ruling and economic elite appeared and took command. They were in charge of directing the local economy and regulated the system of exchange with other peoples of materials such as metals or some exotic stones.

Below that elite were artisans and merchants. In the next step appeared the general population. Lastly, as the lowest class, there were the servants.

Clothing

Thanks to the fact that they began to name various textile techniques, the members of this culture used cotton as the main element in their clothing.

At first, the women did not cover the back and wore only one type of skirt. For their part, the men only wore a kind of loincloth. Later, they began to make other types of clothing.

As for the ornaments, several examples of their use have been found. The nose rings were particularly frequent, a circular ring that was placed on the nose.

Technology and utensils

The Guangalas came to master some advanced techniques for collecting water. Among them, the construction of albarradas or earth dikes with which they collected the scarce seasonal rains. It was a resource to be able to irrigate their lands for a longer time.

The deposits found have been a good source of knowledge about the utensils they made. Most were made of stone, such as scrapers, axes, knives or metates.

The shells were the main element of many other utensils, as it happened with the hooks, the spoons, the nose rings or the rings and pendants.

Cranial deformation

This culture had a tradition that made their physical appearance very distinctive. Thus, the heads found show a cranial deformation. It is assumed that this deformation was generated by applying splints or pads tied with strong ropes during the first years of childhood.

Location

The Guangala culture inhabited the lands of what is now Ecuador. More specifically, they had an important presence on the Santa Elena peninsula, in the current town of La Libertad. They also settled in other areas near the mouths of the rivers and in the hills of Chongón and Colonche, The Guangala spread across the beaches and the interior of southern Manabí. Apart from the main settlements, close to the rivers, there were also some small hamlets scattered through the dry forests.

Economy

In addition to being the main source of food, agriculture was the basis of the Guangala economy. As complementary elements were fishing and hunting.

Labor organization was marked by a marked division of labor, which in turn created differentiated social groups. Thus, evidence has emerged of the presence of groups of fishermen, farmers, hunters, metallurgists, weavers, etc.

The main product with which they carried out exchanges, the method most similar to trade that existed at the time, was corn.

The local chiefs were the ones who controlled these exchanges with nearby towns. Apart from the aforementioned cereal, the most valuable items were foods such as dried fish or some artisan creations.

Art

The Guangala culture stood out enormously for its metallurgical and ceramic works. In the first case, the gold objects found in Palmar stand out, with refined finishes and made with welding. This, plus other findings, prove that they were pioneers in the metal domain.

However, in the field that shone the most was in that of ceramics. In the book "Pre-Hispanic Anthropology of Ecuador", its author stated that "the Guangala civilization, from the artistic point of view, occupies a place similar to the most perfect of Peru (Nazca, Tiahuanaco) for being the only one in Ecuador that has polychrome ceramic "

Ceramics

As mentioned, ceramics were the great protagonist of Guangala art. In that made to be used in daily activities, there are hardly any differences between the different coastal settlements. On the other hand, the sculptures do show their own characteristics depending on the place in which they were made.

These sculptures could be, depending on their origin, anthropomorphic or zoomorphic (animal shape). Among the common motifs in the representations were physical malformations and figures that showed daily activities of the inhabitants of the area.

If there is one aspect in which the ceramics stood out, it was in its polychrome decoration. The remains found show very fine pieces, with walls just two millimeters thick.

The colors were varied and show great technical mastery. The fawn and the black, for example, needed to know how to regulate oxygen during cooking. Red, for its part, was obtained using the slip technique.

Along with these shades, it was also common for them to use white, orange and red. To complete the decoration they used to use techniques such as negative painting.

The designs used to be geometric, with different combinations of straight lines. Sometimes they drew a bird, like pelicans.

Figurines

The artisans-artists of the Guangala culture also showed their alacrity with their small figures, possibly with religious significance. These showed a great variety of styles, from the most absolute realism to the most complete stylization.

Some experts classify these statuettes into two different categories: A and B. In the first, women are represented seated or holding children in their arms.

The other shows men, usually naked or wearing loincloths, and adorned with necklaces. These have their hands, adorned with tattoos, placed at the waist.

Interestingly, both types were used as a whistle. To do this, the craftsmen made a couple of holes at the height of the shoulder blades. Through there the air came out, emitting a musical sound thanks to two air chambers inserted in the bodies of the figures.

Textiles

More than in personal clothing, where the great quality achieved with textiles is observed is in the attire of some ceramic figures. The Guangalas managed to master various techniques, which allowed them to make creations of great beauty.

The fabrics were used to give body to the sculptures. When these figures were cooked, the piece of fabric that was placed inside ended up burning, but small remnants have been recovered that give an idea of ​​the style.

Shell and stone

The crafts are nourished by various materials that were collected in the areas near the settlements. Among the most appreciated by specialists are mother-of-pearl shell works. The earrings, made in various shapes and sizes, stand out.

Another material used was snails. With the small specimens they made tanks that they used to store lime. The Guangala carved these small pieces into geometric designs.

The stone also became an important resource. With the andesite they made axes and grinding tools. With the same material they created spheres, which were used as ammunition when hunting small birds.

Metallurgy

The Guangala Culture was the first to start working with metal. They started with copper, and eventually expanded their work using gold and platinum.

Music

Unfortunately, there are no references to music in this culture. Some musical instruments have been found in the sites, most of them wind instruments. However, it is taken for granted that some of percussion also used, with membranes.

As with the small statues, these instruments could have an animal or human shape. In the latter case, the anthropomorphs, the usual thing is that women were represented more, something that is clearly seen in the ocarinas.

To blow, you had to do it through a hole located in the head of the figure. Two other small holes, this time in the back, allowed the air to escape. These instruments are thought to have played an important role in all kinds of rituals, whether religious or civil.

Religion

The inhabitants of the Guangalas lordships were polytheistic and animistic. They used to pray to animal spirits, such as the jaguar, the serpent or the eagle.

Besides, there was a very strong belief in shamanism. This religion is based on the premise that the world that humans see is dominated by invisible spirits, whose actions affect the lives of humans.

In shamanism, unlike animists, there is a central figure who "translates" the spirit world to believers. It is likely, therefore, that the shaman acquired an important status in the settlements.

Burials

Evidence of burials carried out inside the houses has been found. Next to the corpses, they used to place a funeral trousseau, with ceramic glasses, net weights, stone axes and shell earrings. Likewise, shell boxes were also deposited to store lime and musical instruments, among other things.

There were also some ceramic figurines. As noted above, experts believe that they played important roles in rituals.

References

1. Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Guangala. Obtained from precolombino.cl
2. Encyclopedia of Ecuador. Guangala culture. Obtained from encyclopediadelecuador.com
3. Original towns. Guangala culture. Obtained from pueblosoriginario.com
4. Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Guangala. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
5. Drake, Angela. Pre-Incan Cultures Along the Coast of Ecuador. Retrieved from theculturetrip.com
6. Elizabeth J. Reitz, Maria A. Masucci. Guangala Fishers and Farmers: A Case Study of Animal Use at El Azúcar. Recovered from books.google.es
7. World History Biz. Guangala, Guaya. Retrieved from worldhistory.biz