back to Ecuador- Otavalo

Otavalo is an indigenous town. Otavaleños are known for their exquisite weavings and have been exploited for their textile-making skills by the Incas, Spanish and eventually, Ecuadorians. Life improved for many of the indigenous people after the Agrarian Reform of 1964, which abolished the long-standing tradition of serfdom and permitted local land owner- ship. Still, many villagers struggle to profit from their crafts. That said, otavaleños are the wealthiest and most commercially successful indígena people in Ecuador, an achievement that has allowed many to live in relative comfort. The indígena people wear traditional clothing and take extreme pride in their appearance. Women wear white blouses embroidered with flowers, long wool skirts, fachalinas (headcloths), woven belts, can- vas sandals and strands of beads. Men wear felt hats, blue ponchos and calf-length pants, and braid their hair in one long strand. They are so beautiful to look at. For hundreds of years, Otavalo has hosted one of the most important markets in the Andes. It takes place every Saturday and it is the largest and most beautiful indigenous market I have ever seen. People come from the surrounding villages, not only from Otavalo, to sell their goods and beautiful handicrafts.The tradition of swapping money for goods here stretches back to pre-Incan times, when traders would emerge from the jungle on foot, ready to conduct business. Here some impressions from the Saturday market:

It is a heaven for photographers

these people work really hard

these blouses are all hand embroidered. It is an incredible work. 

They have such beautiful colorful weavings

the whole market sis so colorful

and I find the people so beautiful

mothers must take their babies with them to work

The men all have beautiful long braids

and the women big necklaces and these interesting hats. I think this one put a pair of tousers on top to protect her from the sun. it can get really hot here at daytime when the sun shines, although Otavalo is at a height of 2550m. but at night it gets really cold, actually as soon as the sun sets. 

and beautiful earrings

I find the old women so beautiful to look at. 

this one is selling choclo con queso, that is sweet corn (cooked) with a salty cheese. Delicious. 

There are also plenty of places where you can eat at the market. Here it almost looks as if the pig was eating the people. Poor pig, it has been grilled and they cut pieces off and sell them for lunch, the head remains. Or do they eat it too?

I love to photograph people

I wonder whom these 2 are talking about

I wonder if women this age can sit like this in our western world

I wasn't able to upload some photos into my blog, I have no idea why. But I guess you got an impression. These were just impressions of the market. In the next post I'll show you some pictures of Otavalo. Have a good night.