Mujeres en la Communidad de Shiripuno

Mujeres en la Communidad de Shiripuno 

July 23, 2017

During our trip, we also visited indigenous communities in the Amazon region of Ecuador. One of the communities we visited was the Shiripuno community, it is called project tourism to educate outsiders about their culture, customs, and traditions. This community is led by 31 women to combat the machismo that is present

Some of us joining the girls from the Shiripuno
community in a dance. 

and active in their community. During our visit, they showed how they make some of their traditional and customary meals, such as chicha and chocolate, traditional dances in specific clothing, and a sacred rock. Chicha is a tea that is made from Yuca, they traditionally chew it and with their saliva to start the fermentation process, that makes the chicha. Only 30% of people from this community chew the yuca, it requires the person to be clean and healthy, it has to be someone that hasn't left the community, because it could put others in danger with outside diseases. This has been a struggle with many indigenous communities, where members leave to the city in hopes of better a life, but become ill and return to their communities sick. Leaving the community hurts them and changes how daily practices are conducted, as seen with the making of chicha. They also make chocolate from cocoa beans, they showed us the entire process, it is long and time dependent, but the reward is always satisfactory. Chocolate making is one of the earlier process children learn and use when they want to, it gives them a small sense of responsibility and independence. If they want chocolate as dessert, they can enjoy it, if they make it themselves, making their reward more deserving.

One of the last steps of making chocolate,
grinding the cocoa beans. 

The clothing with the dry leaves was worn
pre-conquest
and the blue dress post-conquest. 

Some of my classmates sitting on the Sacred Rock.

The women of the Shiripuno community also demonstrated to us some of their traditional dances while wearing traditional clothing. The clothing as they explained had changed the over course time in par with historical events, such the changes made post Spaniard colonization. It is important for them to distinguish these changes because their way of life was changed and history cannot be forgotten. Learning about their history was a privilege for me, I could learn a little about their daily routines and their beliefs. I admire their resistance to machismo and their daily strength in educating anyone who is willing to listen about their community. They are strong, resilient, and unafraid of expressing who they are, their beliefs, and why their culture has changed. Lastly, they showed us a sacred rock, named “Yachak Rumi”, there is a long legend about this rock, overall it represents strength and resiliency. Many visit this rock, including Shamans, because of the vibrations it gives as form of transferring strength to individuals. I sat on the rock for a few minutes, in silence, and it was peaceful and beautiful to experience.
There is so much this community does and I have only pointed out a few they showed us, but their day to day activism is something I hope to one day do in my own daily practices. Their lives and work are dedicated to giving strength to their identities and community. They showed me another way of demonstrating activism and the strength of women. Thank you to the La Communidad de Shiripuno, for allowing me to hear you and educating me.