El Chota/Juncal

One of the most informative parts of a recent road trip was in the towns of El Chota and Juncal.  Both towns are populated by AfroEcuadorians with a fascinating history, and some distinctive parts of their culture.

 Their history dates back to the period when the slave trade was still quite active.  A boatload of Africans bound for what is now Colombia was blown off course in a storm, and it ran aground off the coast of Ecuador.  Most of them were able to swim to shore and escape into the countryside.  So, they take pride in the fact that their ancestors were never slaves. 

 They take pride in their communities and look after each other more than is common in the rest of the country.  In other areas, families look after each other.  In this area, the community looks after each other.

 They also have a tradition of dancing which includes dancing while balancing a full wine bottle on their heads.  Some of them can do some moves while that bottle never wobbles.

 The first two pictures are landscapes that show the desertlike terrain this far up in the mountains.  Note the cactus in the foreground.  The second was taken just after dawn.  The third picture shows a little impromptu soccer (futbol) diplomacy with the local kids.  The fourth picture shows a dance demonstration in Juncal.  You can tell by her posture how active her dancing can get.  The final picture shows the bottles they used in Chota. I was particularly interested in how they decorate them.