The
Gonzalo Pizarro
Expedition
The
legend of
El Dorado
and the Cinnamon
Country was
somewhat of
an obsession
for the Spanish.
Gonzalo Pizarro
was recognised
as governor
of Quito in
1540 and immediately
preoccupied
himself with
the conquest
of the provinces
of the Oriente,
which it was
believed held
immense riches
and many populated
towns. His
expedition
arrived at
the province
of Napo from
where Francisco
de Orellana
discovered
the River
Amazonas in
1542.
The
Aboriginal Populations
In
the province
of Napo there
were several
Aboriginal
populations
whose cultures
have been
studied and
researched
by anthropologists,
linguists
and sociologists.
Nevertheless,
not a lot
is known about
these cultures
from before the
time of the
Spanish conquest.
The
Quichuas of
Napo
Towards
the west of
the province,
between rivers
Napo and Coca,
there are
some indigenous
groups inhabiting
the tropical
jungle, as
there are
in Pastaza.
They are known
as Napo Quichuas
or Amazon
Quichuas because
they share
the same linguistic
tradition
and have many
cultural aspects
in common.
They number
around 60
thousand and
their territory
is divided
into family
zones called
‘llactas’.
Their main
activities
are fishing,
hunting and
agriculture.
Many families
are also dedicated
to the breeding
of cattle
for the purpose
of selling
to the towns.
Each group
has a ‘shaman’
who is respected
within the
group and
considered
the mediator
between
spiritual
and human
beings. The
Quichuas are
currently
experiencing
territorial
quarrels as
a result of
the advance
of colonisation.
The
Aucas or Huaoranis
Their
territory
is located
towards the
north east
of the region
between the
river Napo
and
Curaray.
Around one
thousand inhabitants
are dedicated
to agricultural
activity,
fishing and
hunting to
earn their
income.
Due to the
efforts of
the missionaries,
the majority
of the Huaorani
population
is concentrated
in a territory
measuring
some 60 thousand
hectares.
The population
lives completely
naked but
due to social
pressures
they have
begun to wear
clothes. The
group speaks
Huao, however,
due to the
missionaries’
influence
they have
also begun
to learn Quichua
and Castilian
(Spanish).
Last
Updated 23rd
August 2006
(DLW)
