Understanding Kichwa
The Kichwa culture in Ecuador is a vibrant and resilient Indigenous tradition rooted in deep connections to land, language, and community. As the largest Indigenous group in the country, the Kichwa have preserved their crafts, weaving, music, and customs—especially in cultural centers like Otavalo—while adapting to modern opportunities. In both the Andes and the Amazon, Kichwa communities maintain rich agricultural knowledge, medicinal plant expertise, and distinct cultural practices. Their language, Kichwa, recognized nationally alongside Spanish, remains central to their identity, with ongoing efforts to ensure its survival. Beyond cultural preservation, the Kichwa have become influential advocates for Indigenous rights, land protection, and sustainable development, shaping national and global conversations on environmental justice and human rights. Their enduring culture offers powerful lessons in sustainability, community, and identity.
There are many resources online where you can learn more about their culture, language, clothing, and much more. Indigenous people weave a beautiful tapestry across the hills and cities of Ecuador.
Last week, in our Faces of Impact Series, Tamia shared her Kichwa culture. This week, she shares how deep our cultural roots go and how they define us. Answers to the questions are in her own words.
In what part of Ecuador did you grow up? How far is it from Cayambe?
I was born and raised in the northern part of the country, in the province of Imbabura, in the canton of Otavalo, in the largest community around Lake San Pablo, known as Pijal, in the Bajo sector. The distance from my community to Cayambe is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
How would daily life in Kichwa culture compare with that of people living in Cayambe whose families are not Indigenous? (Common customs or routines in Indigenous households)
Throughout my professional experience, I have come to understand that many of the families we work with in Cayambe do not come exclusively from a single community or sector, but rather share similar social realities. In many cases, these families face needs passed down from generation to generation, primarily linked to limited access to basic rights recognized in the Ecuadorian Constitution. These conditions often intensify in contexts of poverty and extreme poverty, directly affecting people's dignity and their opportunities for development.
Regarding the differences between Kichwa Indigenous households and non-Indigenous families, one of the most visible distinctions lies in their community-centered perspectives on daily life. In many Kichwa families, family and social dynamics are deeply shaped by principles of collectivity, reciprocity, and mutual support, in which individual well-being is understood as part of the group's or community's well-being. In some cases, this contrasts with more individual-centered dynamics found in urban or mestizo contexts.
Are there special customs or traditions that your family practiced or that you still practice today? Did you learn cultural activities or skills as a child?
The origin of the SUMAK project comes from the concept of living in balance with the flow of existence, known as Sumak Kawsay (Good Living), a model of health and healing in the Indigenous worldview. From this same principle, values have been promoted that, for three generations in my community of Pijal, have evolved without losing their fundamental moral essence. These values encourage honesty, hard work, and integrity through the principles: Ama killa, ama llulla, ama shua, which mean "do not be lazy, do not lie, and do not steal."
In that sense, since childhood, I learned the value of work, perseverance, and the potential of teamwork, understood as an extended form of minka that reaches different dimensions of my personal development. I also understood the importance of responsibility, solidarity, and commitment to others—values that taught me to face challenges with determination, to appreciate collective effort, and to maintain an attitude of humility, respect, empathy, and continuous learning in life.
What part of your culture makes you feel most at home?
Definitely the variety of our traditional food, the music, and the cultural richness that surrounds us, together with our constant connection with nature. I also value the closeness of family and the work in our chakras (family agricultural plots), where we grow and produce our own food, strengthening our sense of community, identity, and belonging.
I love your Kichwa clothing. Does it have a special meaning behind it?
Kichwa clothing, like many other elements of our culture, has evolved over time. These transformations have been influenced by both social changes and the economic conditions of each family. However, beyond these adaptations, clothing remains an important means of expressing identity, belonging, and cultural memory.
In my personal case, since I had the opportunity to independently choose the colors and styles of my clothing, I have felt deeply connected to the tones of nature. That is why I often prefer colors that evoke the rainbow, Andean landscapes, flowers, and the elements that surround us. In the same way, many of the designs and combinations we use are inspired by nature and by the landscapes that are part of our daily lives.
It is also important to highlight that behind each garment lies knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Many of the skills related to sewing, embroidery, and the creation of accessories come from our grandmothers and mothers, who have kept these practices alive as a way of preserving our cultural identity.
For many Kichwa women, our clothing is not only a way of dressing but also a profound symbol of pride, dignity, and resistance. It represents respect for our roots and for the history of our peoples. For many years, Indigenous people were viewed with prejudice or considered "less than" in certain social spaces. For this reason, wearing our traditional clothing can also be understood as an act of courage and cultural affirmation, one that seeks to reclaim our identity and open paths in spaces that were historically denied to us.
Are there things you wish more people understood about Kichwa culture?
I would like more people to understand Indigenous peoples through a perspective of respect, empathy, and recognition. Many times, our culture is observed only through what is visible, such as clothing or certain traditions, but behind that lies a deep history of knowledge, community organization, values, and ways of understanding life that have sustained our peoples over time.
I also believe it is important to create more real and equitable opportunities. In the current political and social context, many communities and individuals belonging to Indigenous peoples and nationalities have faced conditions that limit their development and their full access to rights and basic services. These structural gaps particularly affect those in priority attention groups.
For this reason, I hope for greater social justice and more favorable conditions for people to develop their abilities, talents, and potential. Many Indigenous girls, boys, youth, and women have dreams and aspirations, but inequalities sometimes make these goals seem very distant or even unattainable.
How did you come to work with the FACE Foundation on SUMAK?
In 2018, I joined the FACE Foundation thanks to a previous connection through my mother's work with the Cantonal Board for the Protection of Rights in Cayambe. At that time, a selection process opened for a psychologist position in the Progressive Eradication of Begging Project, to which I applied and was accepted.
Over the years, I gradually grew professionally both within and beyond the organization until, in 2024, I assumed the role of Psychologist at the SUMAK Comprehensive Care Center. Since then, my commitment and vision have focused on supporting processes of rights restoration and on giving voice and support to those who, for a long time, were limited to silence.
We’re grateful to Tamia for sharing pieces of her story and helping us deepen our understanding of other cultures. If you have questions that can help you see others through a new lens, feel free to email those to Jessica.