Sunday, October 12, 2014

Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality - October 12th

In Saquisilí, province of Cotopaxi, the two women are wearing traditional clothing typical for the area.

For decades Latin Americans have commemorated October 12th as the Day of the Race.

This is a date when the discovery of America by the Genoese Christopher Columbus is remembered as Columbus Day.

Group of indigenous people in Latacunga, the Capital of province of Cotopaxi. Latacunga is known for their yearly Mama Negra carnival.

The date was originally a celebration of the mix of the races that came with the arrival of Europeans, especially from Spain. 

For years it has meant a classification of human beings into races based on the skin tone, hair or skull shapes, and a series of racial bias.

A fisherman in Puerto Lopez, a fisher town in the province of Manabí. The town is famous for the whalewatching trips and very popular among local and international tourists.

On 2011 Ecuador declared October 12th as the "Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality" to correct the significance of this date that historically commemorated the discovery of America in 1492.

 In its considerations, the text by Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa, notes that in Ecuador "various nationalities coexist" Indigenous people "are entitled to support and maintain their own institutions."

A candidate for Kichwa Beauty Queen contest held annualy during Tena's festivities. Tena is the capital of Napo province in the Amazonic part of Ecuador. 

He also argues that the structures of the country "are still grounded on colonial criteria."

For this reason, this date is decreed as "Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality, designed to recognize and rectify the true meaning of the event of October 12, to promote dialogue between different cultures and knowledge, strengthen national unity in diversity inclusive of building the new state of peace and justice, "the statement said.

Local people at their barrio's (neighbourhood's) minga (voluntary communitary work) in Northwestern Quito. Quito is the capital of Ecuador.


Similarly the government urges the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to "update a true universal calendar intercultural nature with the help of all nationalities and aborigines.

In several Latin American countries the name of the celebration of October 12 has been changed.

Indigenous people resting during a political meating held in front of Quito's San Francisco Cathedral in the Colonial part of the city.

In 2001, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared October 12 as the "Day of Indigenous Resistance" noting that on that date began the "genocide" of native peoples of America.

Chile has called it the 'Day of Discovery of Two Worlds'; Costa Rica calls it the, 'Cultures Day'; and in Peru October 12th is called the 'Day of Indigenous Peoples and Intercultural Dialogue'. 

An Afro-Educadorian student in class wearing her school uniform.




In Bolivia, President Evo Morales called it the 'Day of Mourning' because of the poverty, disease and hunger that the European invasion of America brought.

But later on he established it as the 'Day of Indigenous Resistance'.

Indigenous girls in Tena wearing the traditional pacha dress and face painting.



In Argentina October 12th is called the 'Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity', while in Spain it is called 'Columbus Day' like in the States.

The change of the name in Ecuador seeks the restitution of values of indigenous nations and their members.

A way of peaceful coexistence.

High School students perform a traditional Afro-Ecuadorian dance from the Valle de Chota area during a festivity.

25 comments:

  1. This sounds incredibly positive and also utterly sensible. We should be proud of whom we are and where we come from, and promote understanding and dialogue between groups.

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  2. Brilliant photos and thanks for sharing the day x x

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  3. A much more positive name for the day. I'm always one for looking forward rather than back.

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  4. A very sensible approach and looks like it provides a real sense of positivity in the community. A good insight.

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  5. Really interesting to see how it's commemorated in another country. I'm in Spain and it's pretty much just a public holiday but there is a military parade in Madrid.

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  6. Wow, really interesting I had no idea about the history behind it! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of it with me!

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  7. Well, this is so interesting! They should do that in America, too, where there are so many mixed cultures! So enlightening. <3

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  8. What a cool idea! I love that they took this holiday and made it positive and celebratory in a respectful and beautiful way.

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  9. What an interesting day! I love reading about other cultures and how they celebrate and their traditions too!

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  10. Love the pictures ad the fun idea to share culture and history.

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  11. I definitely prefer the more respectful versions of the day ("Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity" a la Argentina). Thank you for informing us all about the cultural differences. :)

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  12. I love that it is about multicultural rather than defining it.

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  13. Some of those names are pretty controversial, but I understand where they are coming from. I lived in Panama a long time ago and we used to attend cultural events and visit indigenous towns all over Central America.

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  14. So glad about the universal name. And the history and information behind it all. It's really nice to see the photos too. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing! I just love seeing all of your wonderful photos!

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  16. This was very interesting! I learned something new today! And I loved all of your pictures too! :)

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  17. Looks like a fun day, but what a mouthful to say

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  18. Thanks for sharing! It's great to see how people there celebrate and learn something new about the culture :) Great pictures!

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  19. Such a good name for the event, but wow a mouthful x

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  20. This is such a great thing to see. I love that Ecuador wants to embrace every culture and nationality which lives within its borders.

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  21. I learn something new every time I visit your blog. Thank you!

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  22. I did not know about this holiday, thanks for sharing!

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  23. I always learn lots from your blog and I really enjoy your photos :)

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  24. Thanks for sharing! I love learning about other cultures and difference aspects of them as well. I learn tons from your blog. Thanks again!

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  25. I always love reading about other cultures, I always learn so much when I stop by your blog :-)

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