Indigenous Ecuador - Hoping to Keep Traditions Alive
As the world evolves with modern designs and the latest technology, we cannot help to have and want to be apart of this futuristic movement. There are so many new gadgets that are apart of our daily lives (made on assembly lines using machines and robots), but right here in Canada and around the world there still lives an artist, a farmer - who lives as one with nature and continues to make products the traditional way - the way that generations ago used to make. They use the land and the natural materials and make the product by hand - there are no synthetics, no chemicals, no machines - only simple tools and what the earth has provided. The product takes timeless hours and the quality and value of the handmade product is invaluable - priceless - and will be passed down as heirlooms.
It was in February 2008 , that Sean spent some time in Ecuador mostly in the Andes - the Chimborazo Region that sparked this article. Here, he was visiting past and present school sites that have been funded and built by Leader's Today and Free The Children. While visiting the school sites, Sean was also able to meet with local artisans and women's co-operatives. During his time in Ecuador, he gained in-depth knowledge into the artisans lives and their struggles (especially the Indigenous). Here is a brief look at the history:
- Low oil prices in 1980's led to huge national debt which then flooded the local market with cheap imports - lowering wages and increasing job loss.
- In late 1997 Ecuador's oil was only $7/barrel and with this news many people sensed disaster and by 1999 over $1.5 billion USD was withdrawn from financial institutions and taken out of the country - many banks collapsed and hundreds of thousands lost their savings.
- Ecuador decided to adopt the US dollar to stabilize the currency, but this led to negative effects on the domestic economy as cost of labour went up and many manufactures went bankrupt or left the country.
- Between 1999 to 2004, 1/4 of Ecuador's population migrated out of the country and thousands left the rural areas to find jobs in the city.
- For the Indigenous who live in the rural areas - this meant that the men would be gone for weeks or months at a time, trying to provide an income with a job in the city. Many women have since then started up co-operatives trying to gain alternative incomes, although a market to sell to has been quite difficult and little income has been made.
- The Indigenous have also had to fight for freedom from Hacienda Owners who control much of the rural land. After Ecuador gained independence from Spain in 1822, a semi-feudal hacienda system was establish where the Indigenous were forced into slave-like labour conditions. Until recently (1990's) has this system began to dismantle and the land has been bought back by the Indigenous.
These trades have been passed down from generations and within the groups you could see the next generation learning the skills needed to keep the traditions alive. It has been difficult for some youth as they do not see much of a future in the traditional trades, but with public awareness and a market to sell to, this mindset will change.
The Indigenous are taking the extra income generated from their sales (after paying for the materials and the artist's time), and putting it towards a working capital account that will invest into the needs of the community such as: livestock, agriculture, community tourist centers, health centers and schools. They are investing into a sustainable future and one that is true to their history and culture and one that Seven Shores is apart of.
At Seven Shores, we support traditional customs and works of art that have been made in Ecuador, in Canada and around the world. We have brought these handmade pieces into the store for you to admire and to purchase for a special place in your home or as a unique gift with a story attached.
It is through this trade with artisans and producers, with fair trade principles - that sustainable incomes will be provided to those of need. To help, we need to become social conscious consumers and know more about how the products we purchase were made. We need to shop at stores practicing fair trade and if you have the chance, buy direct from the producer, so you know a fair wage has been paid and you can see first hand how the product was made.
Become Inspired, Enlightened and Educated in this consumerism world as we know it and Be The Change.
Artisan at work in Salasaca, Ecuador
School Building Site - Free The Children
First School Funded by Free The Children, Chimborazo Region
Women Cooperative - Community in Chimborazo Region