The
Valleys of Loja
The
valleys of
Loja are extremely
important
for the climate
and lifestyle
of the province’s
inhabitants.
The vegetation
in the Lojano
valleys are
incredible,
to such an
extent that
Loja has become
known as Ecuador
’s botanical
garden. There
a diverse
range of fruits
and the valleys
are overflowing
with coffee,
banana and
sugar plantations.
El Valle del
Catamayo (The
Valley of Catamayo)
This
is the largest
valley in
Loja and also
one of the
most fertile.
It is nourished
by rivers
Guayanal and
Catamayo.
Village La
Toma and also
the province’s
airport is
located here
along with
business Monterrey.
El
Valle de Vilcabamba
(The Valley
of Vilcabamba)
The
name literally
means ‘sacred
valley’ and
is situated
in the south
of Loja. The
town of Vilcabamba
is located
at 52.5 km
from Loja
at an altitude
of 1500 metres
. The town
has less than
one thousand
inhabitants
and was made
famous around
the world
in 1955 by
the journal
Readers’ Digest
when it published
the article
"Islas
de Inmunidad"
(Islands of
Immunity)
written by
Dr. Eugene
H. Payne boasting
of zones which
were apparently
immune to
a selection
of diseases.
Among these
zones the
valley of
Vilcabamba
was named,
which according
to research
reported an
exceptionally
low rate of
cardiovascular
and arterial
diseases.
After this
article, several
others were
published
boasting the
region’s good
health. As
a result,
Vilcabamba
achieved international
fame as a
‘valley of
longevity’.
Longevity
On
14 th March
1964 a group
of cardiologists
carried out
a series of
studies in longevity
in Vilcabamba.
The results
of these studies
were published
in a book entitled
"Vilcabamba
tierra de longevidad"
( Vilcabamba,
Land of Longevity
) by Casa
de la Cultura
in 1972. A combination
of climatic
conditions,
diet, pace of
work and the
absence of the
stresses and
strains which
are present
in urban centres
are factors
accounting for
longevity. The
province’s inhabitants
are mainly dedicated
to agriculture,
the principle
crops are corn,
wheat, barley,
yucca, peanuts,
potatoes, tobacco,
plantain and
sugar cane.
Numerous visitors
and tourists
frequently travel
to Vilcabamba
in search of
youth and to
prolong their
years.
El
Valle de Malacatos
(The Valley
of Malacatos)
The
Valley of
Malacatos
is situated
towards the
south next
to the valleys
of Rumishitana,
Landangui
and Tagsiche.
Several different
crops are
grown here
and the climate
is tropical.
Valle
de Piscobamba
(The Valley
of Piscobamba)
Piscobamba
is a large
valley which
dedicates
itself to
cattle farming.
The valley
is nourished
by the river
of the same
name. In the
hacienda La
Palmira Father
Solano wrote
his work"El
Jardin Botanico"
(The Botanical
Garden). Legend
goes that
the treasure
of Quinara
is hidden.
Valle
de Gonzanama
(The Valley
of Gonzanama)
Cattle
farming is
the main activity
in this valley.
Towards the
south the
terrain is
fertile and
is also the
location of
the canton
of Espindola
whose capital
is the old
and interesting
villa of Amaluza.
The village
of Cariamanga
is located
towards the
south west
of Gonzanama.
Macara
The
canton of
Macara is
situated in
the southern
confines of
the province.
The vegetation
here is beautiful.
River Macara
runs through
the area.
The
Saraguro Indians
The
canton of
Saraguro belongs
to the basin
of the River
Jubones due
to its geographical
location.
Rivers Leon,
Saraguro and
Ona are its
tributaries.
In the upper
part of the
basin are
the parishes
of Manu and
Selva Alegre.
The Saraguro
Indians were
sent by Inca
Huayana-Capac
when he embarked
on his conquest
of Quito .
This ethnic
group differs
immensely
from other
indigenous
groups of
the Ecuadorian
sierra. The
Saraguros
were never
dominated
and maintained
the strength
of their race
and customs.
They have
an average
height of
1.65 metres
and are generally
well-built.
The Saraguros
do not cohabit
with Indians
of other ethnic
groups, they
speak Quichua,
dress in black
with sleeveless
shirts, shorts
and small
ponchos.
Devocion a la Virgen del Cisne
The
history of
Loja is linked
to the devotion
of the Virgin
del Cisne,
patron saint
of the city
and the province.
The basilica
of the virgin
is situated
near to a
poor country
house at the
top of the
cliff. The
cult of the
virgin was
affirmed by
decree of
the Liberator
who ordered
an annual
celebration
in honour
of the virgin.
During September
the inhabitants
of Loja take
the sculpture
of the Virgin
(sculpted
by Diego de
Robles) to
the town of
Loja to honour
her. The sculpture
is one of
the most famous
of the colonial
period. According
to legend,
the origins
of this ritual
go back to
the days when
the virgin
appeared in
the parish
of El Cisne
when the inhabitants
were starving
due to a long
period of
drought meaning
a severe food
shortage.
The virgin
apparently
appeared to
as a sign
that the people
would no longer
suffer from
hunger.
Traditional
Cuisine
Among
typical dishes
of the province
are: choclo
(Andean
corn on the
cob), chanfaina
made
with pork,
potatoes and
rice, green
plantain,
beef either
cooked on
the BBQ or
oven baked.
Repe
is the traditional
soup.
Last
Updated 15th
August 2006
(DLW)
