ECUADORIAN CULTURES

ECUADOR HAS MORE THAN 14 INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Ecuador is home to 14 Indigenous peoples and nationalities, each with its own worldview, language, and ancestral traditions. These communities have lived on the land for thousands of years, carrying forward their wisdom across generations.

The most known include: Kichwa, Shuar, Achuar, Waorani, Cofán, Siona, Secoya, Tsáchila, Chachi, and Epera.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

In Ecuador, more than 10 Indigenous languages are still spoken today, alongside Spanish (the official language).

Some of them are: Kichwa, Shuar Chicham, Awapit, Cha’palaa, Paicoca, Wao Tededo, A’ingae, and Tsáfiqui.

ARTISAN CRAFTS

The “Panama Hat” is actually made in Ecuador.

• Toquilla straw hats — known as “Panama Hats,” they are actually from Ecuador, handwoven in the provinces of Manabí and Azuay. Finely crafted, these hats are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Andean textiles — created by Kichwa communities in Otavalo and Salasaca. Ponchos, tapestries, and belts carry ancestral symbols and vibrant colors.
• Amazonian pottery — made by Shuar and Kichwa women, decorated with designs inspired by the rainforest and ritual traditions.