THE 3 MOST COMMON ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE ECUADORIAN COAST - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The ethnic groups of the coast of Ecuador are different ethnic groups, groups of people who are characterized by having the same culture and language. This culture and language varies in each group, which differentiates one group from another.

Ecuador is characterized by being a country where people of different nationalities or ethnicities coexist. These can be white, mestizo, African or indigenous.

The mixture of these four different ethnic groups was what gave rise to new ethnic groups that make up the Ecuadorian population today.

In 2010 a census was carried out to determine the percentage of ethnic groups existing in the population and it was published that 71.9% is mestizo, 7% is Montubian, 7.8% is Afro-Ecuadorian, 7.1% is indigenous, 7.0% is white and 0.3% is other.

Thanks to the existence of various ethnic groups, Ecuador received unitary recognition in the 2008 constitution, which allowed it to consolidate the multi-ethnic unity of its nation.

List of most important ethnic groups

Some of the oldest ethnic groups found on the coasts of Ecuador are the following:

1- The awa

The Awa are known to be part of one of the three oldest ethnic groups. They reside in both Colombia and Ecuador.

Despite being one of the oldest ethnic groups, the knowledge about it is restricted. It is said that this ethnic group used to be part of the Chachis and when they separated, they developed a different language and culture. Both the awa and the chachis are considered to come from the barbecue culture.

This ethnic group does not have an educational system that favors the acquisition of knowledge of any kind. As with all traditions, the knowledge that this ethnic group has obtained over the years is transmitted from generation to generation. One of those skills is their language, which is awapit.

The Swa are fed with the products that they themselves grow in their garden, a process in which all members of the family participate. With regard to hunting, this has decreased considerably in the community.

It should be noted that they still hunt small animals such as birds and rodents and continue fishing. In fact, they have developed their own methods for the development of this activity.

The Awa house is built on a high part and on columns that leave a space of separation between the house and the land.

This space is used to store materials or as a fence for animal husbandry. These houses are built based on elements found in the surroundings.

Like many aspects of life, the awa have also evolved. A noticeable aspect of evolution is in their clothing.

Formerly, the awa did not use anything in the upper part of their body and in the lower part they used a rectangular piece made of fiber or tree bark. Currently, they wear a dress in the form of a nightgown.

2- The chachis or cayapas

The chachis or cayapas, together with the awa, are part of the three oldest ethnic groups in Ecuador. This ethnic group is a neighbor of the Awa, since they are located on some of the banks of the tropical forest of the province of Esmeraldas.

The chachis are divided into three groups that reside on three different banks, which are onzole, cayapas and shrimp.

Formerly, this ethnic group was known as cayapas, which means “son of the father”. This term was rejected and they adopted the name of chachis, which means “pure and original man”.

It is said that like the Awa, this group belongs to the linguistic family of the Barbacoas, which in turn is related to the Chibchas. Their language is known by the name of chaapalachi.

Regarding their education, the chachis have a group of intercultural teachers who visit the community in order to supervise and teach its inhabitants.

The participation of these teachers has generated changes in the history of this ethnic group and it could be said that even a lack of interest of the Chachis for their own culture.

The changes in their culture can be observed even in the environment they use to feed themselves. They used to hunt before, but this practice has decreased and the market has taken its place. The chachis sell agricultural and artisan products produced and harvested by themselves.

On the other hand, their clothing is not the traditional one either. Now the men wear small shorts and a shirt. Women wear a skirt at the waist with a bare torso.

However, the houses do adhere to tradition, being these built on the banks of a river on columns and around they sow their crops.

3- The tsáchilas or colorados

The tsáchilas or colorados are the third oldest ethnic group that are located in Santo Domingo de Ecuador and also belong to the linguistic family of the barbacoas. Their language is Tsáfiqui.

Little is known about this ethnic group but it can be said that both men and women wear cloaks and skirts that differ in color and because women wear more than one skirt.

In addition, it is easy to differentiate this ethnic group from the others since they are characterized by having their hair shaved on the sides and the rest of the hair is cut in a way that looks like a helmet.

This ethnic group used to practice traditional dances and songs which have been lost over the years. However, they continue to maintain their belief through rituals to mountains, plants and waterfalls and to the Christian God, who was introduced to the culture after a process of evangelization.

Their homes are made up of two rooms that are built with materials found in the environment. For example, the roof is built from palm trees. A specific characteristic of their homes is that they do not have windows and have two doors.

On the other hand, they feed themselves through fishing, hunting and the gathering of agricultural products that they themselves harvest.

References

1. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from en.wikipedia.org.
2. Minahan, J. (2013). Ethnic Groups of the Americas: An Encyclopedia. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from books.google.co.ve.
3. Ecuador Ethnic Groups. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from net.
4. Indigenous peoples in Ecuador. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
5. Clark, K. and Becker, M. Indigenous People and State Formation in Modern Ecuador. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from upress.pitt.edu
6. The 4 Ethnic Groups of Ecuador Main. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from lifepersona.com.
7. Tsáchila. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from wikipedia.org.