Cangahua Introduction

CANGAHUA

THE PARAMO, THE FORTRESSES, THE INKA TRAIL, THE PUEBLO AND THE PEOPLE

By Allison Loewen

THE CANGAHUA PARAMO

The paramo is an outstanding ecosystem of incredible variation. Located between 3,200-4,700m[1] the paramo supports a variety of plant and animal life. Over 60% of the plants are endemic and have adapted over millennium to withstand drastic daily temperature changes, general low temperatures and high UV radiation. The plants species belong mainly to the families Asteraceae, Poaceae, Orchidaceae. Many smaller plants, some not yet classified, are also a part of this biodiversity. [2]

Characterized as a grass-dominated treeless vegetation belt, the paramo has in recent times included patches of Andean dwarf forests.[3] These low lying forests paint the landscape and support a diversity of fauna. While not extensive, the paramo fauna includes species of amphibians, many on the verge of extinction. Several birds including the sacred condor and a few mammalian species such as the spectacle bear find refuge within the Cangahuan paramo.

The soil, rich of humus and acidic from volcanic activity, can retain 80% water, twice that of normal soils. The soil not only supplies plants with adequate nutrients and moisture, but fills lakes and watersheds amply, even during draught seasons. In fact, the watershed of this region is responsible for supplying the capital of Quito with water as well as the surrounding territory.

The paramo supports a variety of human agricultural activity. As in the past, farmers are using their land to grow many varieties of potatoes, legumes and other vegetables and whole grains such as wheat and barely. Thousands of varieties of potatoes, domesticated in the Andes before Inca conquest, are adapted to the cold Andean weather and are still being cultivated in current times. The paramo also provides pasture for grazing sheep and cattle, which supply wool, meat and milk for the population.[4]

The ecosystem of the paramo has been under threat from human activity since the arrival of the Incas and Spanish. Indigenous populations have both by choice and force, moving up into the higher paramo region, increasing land use. The deforestation and burning of the land for agriculture and the building of roads has begun to threaten this fragile ecosystem. The native paramo plants and timberland forests have begun to disappear, allowing weedy species to dominate the landscape. At an alarming rate, the ground water to watersheds and lakes is threatened to degradation. While conservation efforts are being made locally by womens cooperatives in Cangahua and regionally by El Proyecto Paramo Andino, CONDESON and several universities, the ability of the paramo ecosystem to sustain its population is decreasing at an alarming rate.

THE PAMBAMARCA FORTRESSES

First documented in the 1970’s by archaeologist Plaza Schuller, the Pambamarca fortresses hold evidence of the longest Incan conquest struggle over a native population in history. [5] Over a 20 year period, the Inca’s built a series of large fortresses in attempt to control the indigenous populations. Over 50 fortress sites have been identified and it is thought that this may be the largest concentration of Pre-Inca sites in the Americas.

The fortresses form a circular structure stretching 7 km in diameter across the Pambamarca. The fortresses share similar construction techniques with guarded concentric walls supporting terrace levels and surrounded by ditches or moats. The walls are made of rough stone blocks, quarried from nearby sources, and the entrances are mazes of elaborate zig zags typical of a strategically designed defense system.[6]

Ongoing archaeological research has located fortresses previously undocumented and identified four site types: Early Cayambe AD700-1250, Late Cayambe 1250-1505/25, Inca 1505/1525-1534, and Hacienda 1534-1940.[7] By comparing Spanish records with soil stratigraphy of regional sequences of volcanic episodes, archaeologists are beginning to date deposits and piece together a chronology of occupancy and social organization. To date, evidence of warfare, burial and domestic occupancy have been uncovered.

THE INCA TRAIL

The Inca Highway, or Qhapaq Nan, stretches 5,000km across five countries and myriad of landscapes. Once used for transportation of troops, messages and goods, the highways are a level system of paved roads that integrated and connected the Inca empire.

A periphery section of the Inca trail exists within the Cayambe County and connects the Pambamarca fortresses. Preliminary analysis conducted by the Pambamarca Archaeology Project has identified a route running east toward the Amazon region, encompassing several ecological zones from high, grassy paramo and cloud forests into the jungle.[8]

The road through this area is typical of Inca roads throughout the region. The lateral stone alignments filled with smaller stones is characteristic of Inca construction. Also, sections of the road reveal careful engineering to adapt to steep slopes. It is known that the Incas built steps to “incorporate the natural variations in slope in their route”[9] and steps are found periodically along the route. Another key feature is the presence of canals or drainage ditches alongside the road to control flooding. Since much of the road has been destroyed, buried or overgrown, further archaeological research is being conducted to determine the expanse of the route.

As part of an effort to save the Inca roads, a wide-scale museum project has been proposed by Peruvian anthropologist and archaeologist Luis Guillermo Lumbreras. Unaffiliated with the PAP at this time, The Qhapac Nan Museums Network is envisioned to be a network of museums scattered throughout the entire 5,000km of the road. These museums would support research, conservation and interpretation. The museums would assist in the conservation and rehabilitation of the road, related structures and settlements. It is proposed that along the road would be ‘museum-nodes’ which would review the specific region’s history as it related to ethnic groups or nations active in the area. Planning is under way for a museum in Cusco, Peru and a pilot center in Vilcashuaman, Peru.[10]

THE PUEBLO OF CANGAHUA

Cangahua is aesthetically like many pueblos in Ecuador with Spanish style architecture, a central plaza with a Catholic Church and cobblestone streets. It has basic amenities such as telephone, running water, electricity and a sewage system but remains unconnected from the internet. Institutions such as a public school, church, health centers and transportation system are in place and are used regularly by the population. The Panamericana, or the main highway corridor of the Andes, is north of the pueblo 6 km and services Cangahua with regular bus service. There are a few artisan shops, food vendors and hardware stores, but for the most part, citizens of Cangahua commute to Cayambe and Quito to sell and purchase goods.

Attractions within the perimeters of Cangahua include the Pambarma Fortresses, The Church of Cangahua and The Hacienda Guachala. Cangahua is located on the paramo ecological reserve Cayambe-Coca and minutes away from the equator where an Equatorial Line Monument[11] and museum, El Reloj de Sol is located.[12]

Within reach of Cangahua by bus, are many attractions including the regions largest volcano, Mount Cayambe, a lagoon and natural swimming pools of Quicocha. Within the city of Cayambe, about 15 km away from Cangahua, are historic buildings, a museum and a Sunday market.[13]

THE PEOPLE

It is estimated that 95% of the population of Cangahua are indigenous and 5% mestizo, or a mix of indigeneous and Spaniards or indigeneous and Cayambis who occupied the area before Inca time. According to the 2002 National Census, 48 communities live in the Cangahua parish; 47 indigenous communities and the mestizo city center. However it is reported by the PAP that 55 communities live within the region.

The Cangahua population is an estimated 13,903 inhabitants which 5% live within the city center. The other 95% live in outlying communities access the center by bus or by truck. The Cangahuans are divided equally amongst the genders, 51% female and 49% male. The age structure is typical of a developing country with 53% of the population under the age of 20 and only 7% over the age of 60. 26% of the population over the age of 10 years is illiterate, some 30.2% of age 15-30, which is higher than the national average of 16.4%. Illiteracy is more common among women, of whom 18% identify as illiterate, compared to 8% men.[14]

Cangahua is the poorest parish of the Pichinicha province, with 92.5% of its residents falling beneath the poverty line. This makes the area one of the most impoverished parts of Ecuador, whose national poverty rate is 60.6%. The main economic activities of the region include agriculture of potatoes, onions, and cereals which are commercialized in markets in Cayambe, Quito and Otavalo.

Other residents find employment with the floral industry. The rose industry, which is considered a “good” job, contaminates water and soil supplies and often causes physical harm to its employees from overexposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Other parts of the population work within the milk and tourism industry.

The people of Cangahua have recognized dance, music and the indigenous language as important cultural commodities as well as the paramo ecosystem and the archaeological remains. There are numerous elected boards which coordinate with the local government and organize activities and festivals in the parish including the annual Inti Rymi festival at the end of June. The Water Board manages the potable water and irrigation systems; The Women’s Group works with women in the community in areas such as literacy, health and small business establishment; The Paramo Board manages within the Ecological Reserve Cayambe-Coca, the paramo ecosystem; The Association of Transporters owns and manages the buses, trucks and cars; and the Festivities Committee which organizes festivals and coordinates with the local government on budgetary concerns. There is also an organized school system and small women’s cooperatives working on the reforestation of the paramo with native species and practicing dance in traditional Cayambe dress.

[1] González, Ana Lucía. The Paramo. Unpublished document. Pg 5.

[2] Los Paramos. http://www.Paramos.org accessed on April 14, 2007

[3] Wille et al 2002. As quoted in González, Ana Lucía. The Paramo. Pg 6.

[4] Murra 1972:Mosely 1992:30. As quoted in Gonzales, González, Ana Lucía. The Paramo. Pg 10.

[5] Perez. 1990. As quoted in Gifford, Chad. Resisting Inka Imperialism in Ecuador: The Archaeology of a Militarized Frontier. Unpublished document.

[6] Gifford, Chad. Ibid.

[7] Connell, Sam and Chad Gifford. 2005. Informe Temporada. Unpublished Document.

[8] Sistrunk, Hannah. 2006. Geographic Connection and Ideological Division: Inka Roads in Northern Ecuador. Unpublished student paper.

[9] Hyslop, 1984. As quoted Ibid. 2006.

[10] Lumbreras, Luis Guillermo. 2004. The Qhapac Nan Museums Network. Museum. Vo.56 no 3. pg 111-116.

[11] Bonifaz, Gabriela. 2004. Assessment for the Development of Community Based EcoTourism and Perspectives on Community Participation in the Cangahua Parish, Ecuador. MSc Thesis. Univeristy of Kent. Canterbury.

[12] Connell, Samuel and Chad Gifford. Indigenous Marketing of the Pambamarca Fortress Complex, Pichina, Ecuador. Unpublished Document.

[13] Bonifaz, Gabriela. 2004.

[14] Ecuadorian National Census 2002. As quoted in Bonifaz, Gabriela. 2004.