Otavalo day 2

During our second day in Otavalo, we had a lecture from an extremely important indigenous woman named Carmen about the history of the Indigenous movement in Ecuador. Carmen has played a very significant role in the progress of Indigenous rights, as she was the president of one of the national organizations of Indigenous peoples for many years, plus she is a woman. The lecture outlined the difficult struggles the indigenous peoples in Ecuador have faced, and their future challenges.

That afternoon, we went to some art craft workshops and actually learned through experience from indigenous experts how to spin wool & dye it, and how to make grass mats, wool tapestries, bracelets, etc. Then, we all united in an indigenous family’s house and celebrated a huge party with about 50 other indigenous invites. We watched the children dance group, the adolescent dance group, and we ourselves danced to a traditional indigenous Andean band. Two representatives from an organization/union spoke to us about the problems their community is facing against a Japanese company that is tearing up their land with mines in search of gold. We ate typical food with everyone and drank typical beverages, =). We shared with the indigenous peoples and made friendships.

After the dancing was over, we said our goodbyes and we all piled into the back of a truck and were transported back to our hostel, standing and singing.