Ancient
Cultures
Vestiges
of ancient
coastal cultures
have been
found in the
province,
believed to
belong to
the Chorrera
civilization.
The Chorrera
culture dates
back to between
1500 and 500
B.C. Remains
of other civilizations
have also
been found
including:
Valdivia,
Tejar-Daule
and Milagro-Quevedo.
Tribes identified
as the Babahoyos,
Babas, Palenques,
Mangaches,
Ojivas, Quilchas
and Pimochas
existed in
the area before
the arrival
of the Spanish.
The
Babahoyos
The
Babahoyas
originated
from the Huancavilca
race. Benalcazar
clashed with
them during
the Spanish
conquest,
however, violence
was avoided
and a pact
was signed
between them.
Later the
Spanish organised
the region:
Babahoya kept
the parishes
of Ojiva,
Caracol, Quilca
and Mangache;
and Baba had
the parishes
of Palenque
and San Lorenzo
.
Babahoya was
once an important
town on the
route between
Guayaquil
and Quito.
In the 19th
century, passenger
and cargo
boats regularly
steamed up
River Babahoya
as far as
this town
and then transferred
to mules for
the ride up
to Quito.
Babahoya today
remains a
bustling and
energetic
town with
a lot of commercial
activity,
although tourism-wise
it doesn't
have a lot
offer. (Source:
Lonely Planet
Ecuador, 2003)
Last
Updated 22nd
August 2006
(DLW)
