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Here are ten of the most notable cultural events in Ecuador:
Fiesta de Yamor - Otavalo (first week of September)
The Fiesta de Yamor is a harvest festival, and is a combination of Catholic and native, pre-colonial religious elements. Its main purpose is to celebrate the fertility of the local corn crops during the year's second solstice. A tradition extending back to pre-Colombian days involves the preparation of a special liquor, Chicha, which is made from seven varieties of corn. There are tributes to the indigenous Earth mother, "Allpa Mama," as well as the Virgin of Otavalo, "Niña Maria." Special events include parades, folk dancing, bullfights (where the bull is not actually killed), cockfights, and the election of the "Yamor Queen."
San Pedro y San Pablo - Otavalo, Cayambe, and Cotacachi (June 24th)
This is another religious themed holiday, popular especially in rural areas of the country, that combines Roman Catholicism with pre-Colombian tributes to ancient fertility rituals, both human and agricultural. Here, woman eager to become mothers leap over bonfires for good luck, while at the same time, the locals burn old clothing so bad luck itself can go up in smoke, while yet another incendiary tradition, the "burning of beard of Saint Peter" involves old tires, paper, and eucalyptus branches. Villagers gather to joke and gossip before retiring to bed. On the last day, explosives and ringing bells herald the arrival of a local marching band. The plazas fill and people pray for the success of their bean and corn crops.
The United States and Canada have Halloween, Latin America has All Saints Day...
Mama Negra - Latacunga
Taking place during the second Saturday of November, this is one of Ecuador's most popular and colorful holidays, an emblematic integration of Spanish, Incan, Aymaran, Mayan, and African, and in the last few years, gay culture. It is one of the most fascinating cultural events in Ecuador and it is a public celebration of civic pride, It rivals Brazil’s festivals as an emblematic “melting pot” of wildly divergent cultural traditions. Such icons as the Angel of the Stars, the Moorish King, Los Huacos all play a role in this celebration. It all culminates with the arrival of the Mama Negra, the Black Mother on horseback. Candy and wine containers are also tossed to the crowds, and restaurateurs all feature Latacunga’s most famous contribution to Ecuadorian cuisine: Chugchucaras, which is deep fried pork, pork rinds, popcorn, potatoes, maize, and plantain.
Dia de los Santos y los Almas -- Nacional
The United States and Canada have Halloween, Latin America has All Saints Day, followed by the Day of the Dead on the first and second day of November. The traditional belief is that the souls of the dearly departed revisit their kin this time of year, so family members go off and greet their deceased at local cemeteries with an appropriate holiday offering because it is supposedly needed to further the soul on its way in the afterlife. In Ecuador the holiday is interpreted as a day to “catch up” with the ones that are no longer in this world but have a life in a different world. The staple food of the season is the famous colada morada which is a thick purple drink and the guaguas de pan which are a sweet kind of bread in the shape of dolls.
