Kichwa People of Ecuador

The Kichwa people constitute the largest indigenous ethnicity in Ecuador with around 800,000 individuals divided into more than 400 communities across the country. The majority of the population lives in the Ecuadorian Amazon with some minor groups living in Colombia and Peru. In Ecuador, they are divided into different groups including Napo Kichwa, or Napu Runa, and Kichwa del Pastaza, or Pastaza Runa. Their language is a close relative of Quechua language of Peru which used to be the official language of Inca empire prior to the arrival of Spaniards.
Napo, Ecuador - Portrait of Idania
Napo, Ecuador - Portrait of Romeo
Napo, Ecuador - Portrait of Sandi
Napo, Ecuador - Sandi participating in a purification ritual
Napo, Ecuador - Members of Kichwa community waiting on the shore of Rio Arajuno. As the largest indigenous ethnicity of Ecuador, the Kichwa people have an strong bond with their surrounding nature. Many communities are only accessible by boat and are
Napo, Ecuador - Members of Kichwa community selling their products twice per week to a wildlife rescue center which is partially founded and managed by community members.
Napo, Ecuador - Members of Kichwa community selling their products twice per week to a wildlife rescue center which is partially founded and managed by community members.
Napo, Ecuador - Edison working in his medicinal plant farm. Within the last few years, he and his son, Abel, have initiated efforts to re-introduce and re-cultivate traditional medicinal plants in their community. In the Kichwa culture, various plant
Napo, Ecuador - Edison holds various plants that are used as medicine by the Kichwas. Within the last few years, he and his son, Abel, have initiated efforts to re-introduce and re-cultivate traditional medicinal plants in their community. In the Kic
Napo, Ecuador - Sandi and Elsa serving food as a part of the communal Minga. In the Kichwa culture, Minga is an opportunity for the community members to gather together and help with carrying out the activities that needs team effort.
Napo, Ecuador - Community members working on wood columns for the new community kitchen as a part of Minga gathering. In the Kichwa culture, Minga is an opportunity for the commmunity members to gather together and help with carrying out the activiti
Napo, Ecuador - Sandi and Idania peeling wood columns for the new community kitchen as a part of Minga gathering. In the Kichwa culture, Minga is an opportunity for the commmunity members to gather together and help with carrying out the activities t
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