- Salasaca
Salasaca is located in the
Tungurahua Province in the center ofEcuador , halfway along the road fromAmbato toBaños . They are some 12,000 people. Their language isQuechua . Their main economic activities are agriculture, livestock-raising and handcrafts.Local crafstmanship includes items such as
tapestries , which are woven by hand on looms of very ancient technology. Many of the designs depict different aspects of their lives. There is a market in the central plaza of Salasaca called "Plaza of the Arts".The Quechua Salasacas performe traditional music using a flute and drum. Nowadays, the Quechua Salasacas have been incorporating other sounds that complement their traditional melodies.
In June, Salasaca people celebrate the harvest festival called
Inti Raymi that is celebrated in all Quechua communities of the Highlands (Sierra). However, in the Salasaca festival circuit, the "Varayuk" or Mayor, who carries a wand which represents power and authority within the community, is the main personality.External links
* [http://gerdbreitenbach.de/anden/ecuador_1/intisala_de.html Inti Raymi in Salasaca 2003 (in German, with photographs)]
* [http://inkahuasi.googlepages.com Hostal Inkahuasi, located in Salasaca]
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