Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Fiestas de Tena - 454th Anniversary of the city of Tena


"Land of Cinnamon and Guayusa"


The city of Tena is called by many historians the City of St. John of Two Rivers Tena.


Tena is named after the two rivers, Tena and Pano, that cross the city.


In reality Tena is a small town, divided in two by the rivers.


The tranquility and friendliness of its people can be felt in its narrow streets.


By a Spanish ordinance the founding date of the city was set for November 15th on 1560.



Tena celebrates many important dates


The Tena Canton has a diversity of natural attractions and cultural events that are located in each of the parishes which have the same special features that allow visitors to learn about its history and traditions of the Kichwa and Huaorani ethnic groups.


The foundation date of Tena is on November 15th and this anniversary of the city is celebrated by its municipality and habitants with as much pomp and circumstance as possible.


The anniversary festivities last eleven days, starting at November 6th and continue until the 16th.


On the first day there is a civic parade but most of the people feel that the real festivities start when the carnival parade is held on the second day.


This is where the local barrios, organizations, companies, schools and everyone else has the chance to participate with their carnival float to honor Tena.


Tena's two beauty queens


This is also where the candidates for the Beauty Queen of Canton and Waysa Ishpinku Warmi, the Kichwa beauty queen of the canton, have their own floats and the chance to present their charms to the public.


Ishpinku is Kichwa for cinnamon and waysa (or guayusa) is a local plant that is used to make an energetic drink by indigenous people, warmi is the Kichwa word for woman, so the beauty queen is called Guayusa and Cinnamon Woman.


Tena is often called the land of cinnamon and guayusa because of they are both native to the area and traditionally very important to the people.


This year’s party


This year’s celebration has been full of color and culture.


The different organizations had done their best to top each other and every float from last year.



Besides the parades and elections of the two beauty queens there are different cultural and sport events, music, gastronomy and a fair lasting through the festivities with its own activities.

42 comments:

  1. I love reading your posts. The photos always make me feel as though I am right there experiencing everything.

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  2. Party looks like real fun. I like to se all generations at one place.

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  3. How interesting! I love seeing things from other cultures and I love the colorful apparel.

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  4. What a cool festival.. looks like there are so many facets to it.

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  5. What a neat festival, it looks like that would be absolutely incredible to attend in person. :)

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  6. What amazing photos!! I always love a glimpse into your world....

    Love Vicky
    Around and Upside Down

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  7. So festive! Love reading this and seeing how they celebrate :) Thank you for sharing.

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  8. Such a beautiful experience! I would love to go there one day.

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  9. i love visiting here! south america is on my must go see list, and this is a great preview! =)

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  10. It looks like a lot of fun! Hard to believe something can be around that long.

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  11. What a fun time! I love all of the costumes (especially the women dressed up as princesses/ fairies!)!

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  12. I like these cultural festivals. So colorful and so festive

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  13. It looks like it was full of colors. Thanks for sharing about a culture that I will probably never get the chance to see in person.

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  14. It is really a good post. I was really enjoying to see the pictures. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. This looks like such a fun parade! So many bright colors.

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  16. I love these! I always feel like I'm right in the middle of the excitement with your gorgeous photos! :) So fun!

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  17. Fun!! I love all the costumes and how festive everyone is :) Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos!

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  18. I enjoy reading your posts very much, love the carnival and the costumes everyone is wearing so colourful and there happy faces are just so pretty

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  19. what a fun parade. i love the girls dancing in the colorful skirts / dresses. :) wish i could be there!

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  20. We have something that reminds me of this called Junkanoo. I love community traditional parades. So fun.

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  21. I've never explored South America, but look forward to one day! Such a vibrant and beautiful culture!!

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  22. What an amazing celebration - such a dichotomy of cultures all in one place. Fantastic pictures!

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  23. This is a wonderful array of photos showing us the full range of the festival. I am always drawn to the colorful outfits and the joy on the people's faces. What a delight!

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  24. So beautiful! fiestas are fun! and you have captured it very nicely!

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  25. Oh, its all so beautiful! The colors, the people! I love it!

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  26. oh this looks like such a wonderful place to visit

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  27. wow, what a party! That looks so fantastic!

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  28. What a lovely celebration. I love the festive attire. So colorful.

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  29. Wow! How'd I wish I was there. Beautiful place to visit this summer. Wonderful costumes too.

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  30. Looks like so much fun!! The weather also look fabulous! <3

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  31. Wow!! such great photos, what a fantastic experience!!

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  32. Your posts always brings me right to the moments. Great pics and awesome recap.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  33. What a fun festival!! I would love to attend this one day!

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  34. How great are those pictures. Such moments and beauty caught in the moment of a photo!

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  35. Looks like such a blast! I could get lost for days!

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  36. Wow! What an amazing festival! Your pictures are gorgeous - I really enjoy reading your posts :)

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  37. What a beautiful celebration! The pictures are gorgeous.

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  38. How fun to get to enjoy the celebration.

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