Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Jumandi Yuyay - Intercultural Fair in Archidona


The city of Archidona in Napo, Ecuador organized an Intercultural Fair, Jumandi Yuyay in this November.

The fair lasted from November 21st till November 29th.


The fair was organized to honor the national hero Jumandi, a kihos-nawki kasike who fought against the Spanish conquistadors.

The program for the fair included a cultural walk up to the Vocano Sumako.


The walk lasted three days and during it there was held different cultural activities and ceremonies.

Besides the walk the municipality organized contests for students and a book about Jumandi’s life was released.


An exposition of Amazonic agricultural and hunting techniques and architecture was held.

There was also a contest for the best traditional dish.


The festivities culminated on Saturday 29th into a Cultural Festival with an ancestral ceremony and representations of traditional music, dancing and verses.


The ceremony was held in honor of hero Jumandi and was a collaboration of many local kurakas or shamans.

The fair will be held every year at the same time.



If you are planning to visit Ecuador and especially Ecuadorian Amazon, this would be a perfect opportunity to enjoy the traditional culture.


Who is Jumandi?


Jumandi is a national hero of Ecuador and he has been officially recognized by the National Assembly as such.

Dozens of Amazonian Indians lobbied his recognition as one of the leaders of the Ecuadorian indigenous resistance.


He is one of the initiators and leaders of the struggles against, first the Spanish conquistadores and then their descendants, who has not been widely recognized in the national historiography.


Jumandi is an historical figure in Ecuadorian Amazon and indigenous people of the Amazon basin recognizes his importance in the resistance movement.

But he was not a national figure among with Atahualpa, Rumiñahui and such.


Finally on November 29th 2011 the National Assembly recognized the importance of Jumandi’s leadership in the struggle of indigenous people.

And he was declared a national hero of Ecuador.



History of Jumandi


When the Spaniards arrived to Ecuador, in the Amazon basin they found a warlike people, the Kihos-Nawkis, who were also great ceramists and farmers.


The Spanish military imposed by force their religion and government to the people of the land.

The great warrior Jumandi, tired of the terrible treatment his people received in the hands of Spaniards.


And conscious of their strength, organizes his best men and invites the people of the forest to expel the invaders from their territory.

They burned the cities of Archidona and Avila that were founded by the Spaniards.


After the success of this first battle the forest people began to sing their chants against the invading enemies everywhere.

This is when the legend of the terrible savage forest people was born.


But the brutality of the invaders had no limits, thousands of Spaniards arrived from Quito with their fire weapons.

Finally there were more invaders than local warriors.



Spanish conquest of the Ecuadorian Amazon


With their numbers and new weapons the Spanish win the battle and capture Jumandi and his best men.


They took them to Quito to humiliate them and torture them publicly with hot irons.

And eventually killed them.


On the execution day the authorities of the Real Audiencia de Quito ordered that all indigenous people living near Quito must attend, in their best clothes.

 This brutal spectacle was to be observed by all indigenous people so they would understand what would happen to all who would take up arms against the Europeans.


Although it was not victorious, this was the first indigenous revolution of America.

And it has defined the indigenous resistance’s objectives and ideals.


This revolution also prevented for many years the Spanish insertion in Amazonian territories.

51 comments:

  1. Wow, such an interesting, but very brutal history. It's great that the fair happens every year so that people remember the past.

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  2. history is sad but this was captured beautifully

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  3. I really enjoyed your post and photographs. Thank you for sharing this part of Ecuadorian culture. I really appreciate it. :)

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  4. This is an amazing and insightful post! Thanks for sharing your experience!

    -Krystin Tysire
    www.girlinbetsey.com

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  5. This looks like so much fun! I love the culture involved.

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  6. What a fun fair and I do love all of your photos. So clear and colorful.

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  7. This fair looks like such a good time! It would be a great way to immerse yourself into the culture.

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  8. Wow very interesting as always! I had no idea. I am loving this culture and all the history good and bad! It's so interesting!

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  9. How fun to have the festivities last that long!

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  10. I love how many pics you share, makes me feel like I am right there with you!

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  11. I love how you share this rich culture. It has really enriched me with Ecuadorian knowledge! <3

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  12. Such an interesting story! I'm definitely going to look into Jumandi more!

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  13. Wow, this looks like such an interesting experience! Gorgeous photos as well!

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  14. This is very interesting and captured wonderfully.

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  15. You always take the most beautiful photos--I feel as if I'm right there at the festival. I love participating in local celebrations like this. You get such a flavor for the community and history that way!

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  16. Gorgeous pictures, and what an insight! The headdresses are stunning, such beautiful combinations of colours.

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  17. What amazing pictures! Such fascinating history.

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  18. I love hearing about the history of places all over the world! So interesting!

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  19. Wow, your photos really bring it to life. I loved seeing all the intricate bead work too.

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  20. I enjoy reading your posts about different cultures. So interesting.

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  21. What a fun fair :) So many beautiful colors shown!

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  22. so awesome getting involved in fresh cultural experiences :)
    missy
    popofstyle.com

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  23. What an awesome experience! Looks like fun!

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  24. I love things like this, really. We have some similar things throughout the year in Arizona with our different Indian cultures, but not quite the same.

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  25. You've created a ton of memories, I'm sure. You always have the best pics.

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  26. Gosh what a heartbreaking story. I can't imagine how the people must have felt being forced to watch such a spectacle! I love that they've turned it into a celebration of life though rather than mourning. The colours are so beautiful!

    Katie <3

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  27. How awful! I can't even begin to imagine - but I love that everything is celebrated, and it looks so beautiful. I love your photographs, I got completely lost in them.

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  28. such colourful photos that hide a very sombre meaning of the festival

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  29. I love love love reading these posts and the one thing that stands out to me everytime is the amazing use of colour x

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  30. great photos! I've never been out of the country before but I'm sure it's a lot of fun to immerse yourself in different cultures.

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  31. This looks like such a unique and interesting experience. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. I love reading about history, it is very interesting. You bought a brutal period in your history to life.

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  33. Such great information and beautiful photos. I love their accessories!

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  34. Wow what a neat experience and your pictures are so captivating!

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  35. A fascinating and sad read. History does not read well for the human race. Beautiful photo's

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  36. I loved looking at your photos - thanks for sharing x x

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  37. Your stories are always so incredible; this must be a fantastic place to visit

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  38. You have captured all this wonderfully! The photographs are perfect. It just reflects the culture of Ecuadorian. Thanks for sharing such an interesting post.

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  39. How interesting! Looks like you guys had a very enlightening experience. Loved the pictures!

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  40. I always really enjoy your posts, such a lovely insight into the culture of Ecuador.

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  41. Such an interesting post. Thank you for sharing.
    Wonderful photos too

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  42. That looks like a Farmers Market I want in my town so I could visit every week!

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  43. thanks for sharing - so interesting to hear about other cultures

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  44. Wow, what a fascinating history! Your photos are beautiful, really capture the atmosphere!

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  45. I find it extremely interesting learning about different cultures, their history and traditions. It broadens your perspective, in my opinion.

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  46. Thank you for sharing. I've never heard of Jumandi before, I love learning more about Ecuador

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  47. Such beautiful photos, I'm really enjoying learning more about the culture!

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  48. Beautiful! I love seeing other cultures and hope that I get to travel the world one day :)

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  49. I love the history behind places, and I love local festivals. I'm glad you did a post like this!

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