Ecuadorian Traditions
Ecuador Tours Traditions is a country full of unique traditions and customs, that make Ecuador a special place to visit and to experience. Like in other countries in South America, Ecuadorians are friendly, openminded and live their lifes with passion for music, dance and parties. If you go out to the local discos and pubs, you will see the serenity of the people. In the clubs everyone is dancing on the music of Salsa, Bachata, Reggeaton, Electro and much more. It doesn´t matter, if you don´t know how to dance, someone will surely help you finding the right step. This kind of celebrating the life can also be seen in the traditional ceremonies through the entire year. Just to be said, all the bigger cities also have their own fesitvities that last about one week.
There are certain times of the year where the traditions are celebrated.So for example in March or April you can come and see the eastern processions. During these procession there are a lot of people dressed in purple costumes on the streets holding a statue of Jesus, crosses or other religios symbols. Within this week the whole country and especially Quito and Guayaquil are in exceptional circumstances. It is even a touristic spectacle with a gastronomic route through the city with restaurant recommendations.
A few month later on the 24th June, there is the celebration of the sun, which is called Inti Raymi and it takes place in the city of Otavalo. This occasion goes back to the Incas from Cusco. You can compare the reason to our Thanksgiving fesivities, which are meant to praise the food we get from mother earth. During this ceremony the people are dressed in colorful clothes. Every symbol in these costumes has a different meaning. There is also a lot of dancing, music and a parade going on.
On 2nd November takes the “Día de los difuntos” or Day of the deseased, which is celebrated in Europe and North America as All Saint´s Day. Especially to this day the Ecuadorians bake “Guaguas de pan” and cook “Colada Morada”. Guagua is Quichua and means Baby. They bake it, because they think for each deseased will be born a baby and this means a new life and wealth. The Colada Morada is a special juice of fruits, which is cooked with the flour of corn. This tradition goes back to the pre-colombianic culture 5000 years ago. It was meant to give strength for a long journey within the period of rain (October and November).
The Tribe of Quito Cara celebra alt=”ted also “La fiesta de Lluvia” the celebration of rain and cooked the Colada Morada with the blood of camels.
In the first week of November there is also another ceremony, which is called “Mama Negra”
This is one of many celebrationes in the villages in the Highland around Quito. This special event is for the aniversary of their independency. It also symbolizes the cultures of the indigenous, the hispanics and the africans.
Christmas Traditions In Ecuador
The Ecuadorians of course also celebrate Christmas. Like the western countries they have the christmas trees and the nativity sets, which symbolises the birth of Jesus. The figures wear the traditional clothes from every province. On the 15th December the families come together in the houses to have the novena. They have hot chocolate with biscuits, read poems and sing christmans songs. On the 24th they have the traditional Christmas Eve dinner with a turkey.
At the end of the year, they have a ceremony to disband the old year. They build figures out of paper and glue which they are going to burn at midnight. Like this the bad spirits can be bannished and they hope the new year will be better. Additionally to the burning figures, there are a lot of Fireworks going on in the cities.
As you can see Ecuador and its inhabitants love celebrating, meeting friends, spending time with their family and of course a lot of good food. When you come to this country inform yourself about the occasions that take place in the time you are there!
The travel specialist at Gulliver Expeditions can guide you through your next journey in this amazing country.
