History

WHERE DO WE COME FROM?

The Amazon has always been considered as a region that possesses an immense biological diversity, that configures a landscape of exuberant beauty and immeasurable value. But these lands are also characterized by an important cultural diversity. Its inhabitants configured levels of spiritual and intellectual development that allowed the establishment of harmonious relations with the ecosystems of the region.

The Amazonian indigenous peoples have generated systems appropriately adapted to the special conditions of the ecosystems of the tropical rainforest. And for thousands of years natural resources and biodiversity have been used sustainably, without depleting them.

Several studies indicate that the Amazonian lands of Ecuador were populated by several human groups with different languages and cultural traditions, among them: Quijos, Sumacos, Sabelas, Yumbos, Napo Indians, Canelos, Lamas, Tabacosa, Suchinchi, Pandule and Panyaso. The domination processes that took place throughout the Americas led to the disappearance of many of them, while others underwent significant cultural transformations.

These changes are evident in the language, since today many of the peoples mentioned speak Kichwa or Runa Shimi, which was the lingua franca of the Inca Empire and which these peoples incorporated, and today are identified as the Kichwa people of the Amazon.

They learned Runa Shimi (man's language) in two ways: through frequent and sustained contacts with the Incas located in the Andes and through the imposition of this language by the missionaries who used it as a lingua franca for catechization and evangelization. (Gamboa, undated: 6).
The kichwas of the lower Napo River are formed by the fusion of different ancient peoples (omaguas, záparos, huitotos and encabellados). The presence of the Kichwas in the Napo has been recorded since the second half of the 19th century and is linked to the rubber plantations on the river. (Muratorio, B. 1990). The origins of the Kichwas living in Yasuní National Park (YNP) are three:

- The Napo Runa are descendants of the ancient kichwas linked to or belonging to the haciendas. The Capuchin missionaries of Aguarico carried out an emancipation process that culminated in the constitution of free communities, which are located on both sides of the Napo River.
- The Kichwas originally from Tena and Archidona, arrived in the area after the opening of roads built for the exploitation of oil. The communities of these groups are located near the roads.
- The Kichwas of the Curaray River. They come from the Pastaza area. The ancestors of these groups were related to the old haciendas of the Curaray River that today are totally disappeared. (Villaverde, X; Ormaza, F. Marcial, V. and Jorgenson, J: 2005).

The Kichwa are grouped in communes with communal lands, an organization adopted in the 1970s as a mechanism for defending their territories and culture. This group has been heavily influenced by Catholic or Christian religious beliefs, but still maintains oral traditions, in which the yachak runa (wise man or healer) is the axis of life in relation to spirits. (Villaverde et al., 2005: 176).

In Ecuador, since the constitution of 2008, 13 nationalities and about 19 peoples living within its territory have been recognized. The Kichwa of the Amazon belong to one of these peoples.
  • 1970 SACHA PACHA

    (FIRST MIGRATION)
    Three families arrive in Añangu: Virginia Andi and Arsenio Grefa. Silverio Yumbo and Jacinta Mamallacta. Domingo Simbaña and Jacinta Yumbo.
  • 1990 AÑANGU CENTER

    (SECOND MIGRATION)
    32 families Construction of the Napo Wildlife Center, for 2 years in charge of 8 people from the community.
  • 1998 KICHWA AÑANGU COMMUNITY

    Napo Wildlife Center to be managed by Peter English.
  • 2000 - 2004 NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER

    Initiates the litigation to recover the NWC and ends in 2007. Since then, Jiovanny Rivadeneira has become the manager of the tourism company.
  • 2007 - 2011 NAPO CULTURAL CENTER

    In 2010 the Kury Muyo Interpretation Center is created, a women's organization that will give birth in 2012 to the Hotel Napo Cultural Center and Napo Wildlife Center.