Ecuadorian
society is characterized by cultural and ethnic diversity.
The
goal of Ecuadorian constitution is to build a new form of civil coexistence in
diversity and harmony with nature to achieve the good life, sumak kawsay.
SUMAK KAWSAY
The
concept of "good living" takes its terminology "sumak
kawsay" of ancestral Quechua worldview of life.
According
to its proponents present similarly among the Aymara as suma qamaña and among
the Guarani as Porâ teko teko or kavi.
In
its original meaning Kichwa, sumak refers to the realization of the ideal and
beautiful planet, while kawsay means "life," a decent life to the
full.
The
"sumak kawsay" ancestral sees people as an element of Mother Earth or
Pachamama (mother world).
So,
unlike other paradigms, sumac kawsay seeks balance with nature in the
satisfaction of needs ("take only what is necessary").
SUMAK
KAWSAY TODAY
The
relationship with nature has a privileged place in the vision of "Good
Life" by Ecuador’s Indigenous People.
The
man takes the second place after the environment, because we are a part of the nature.
Nature
is the source of life and the humans are the thinking part of this reality.
The
nature has the priority because without it the mankind cannot live.
So,
to be concerned about the good of the humanity means to first defend the land
and establish harmony between nature and human beings.
Which
implies respect for all natural environments.
