If you want an adventure that integrates nature, sustainable tourism, and ancestral culture, the Kichwa Añangu community in the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador could be your next destination. Over time, the Kichwa people have preserved their way of life in harmony with the jungle, maintaining an intense love and respect for nature. Learn about the community’s most outstanding aspects and why they consider themselves passionate about sustainable tourism.
1. Location and how to get there
The Añangu community is located in the Yasuní National Park in the province of Orellana in northeastern Ecuador, the largest protected area in the country with an area of 10,200 square kilometers. The simple stretch to get there is an adventure.
How do you get there?
The best way to get there is from the city of Quito, taking a flight of approximately 30 minutes to the city of El Coca in the vicinity of the Napo River. From here, the journey will be through safe and roofed canoes. You will navigate for almost 2 hours until you reach the Napo Wildlife Center, where you can enjoy the views of the Amazon and perhaps observe some exotic species of the place.
2. Intimate relationship with Nature and spiritual culture
For many years, the Añangu community has coexisted harmoniously with the Amazon. This longstanding relationship has enabled them to integrate seamlessly into the lush Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Among the activities they engage in for their survival is agriculture, which includes crops such as yucca, corn, and plantain. Furthermore, they only hunt and fish as needed for their consumption, consistently respecting the life cycle of local species.
Their people, on one hand, are full of traditional richness; on the other hand, they also possess a deep spiritual wealth. Their perspective on the world is intricately linked to nature; furthermore, they hold a belief that spirits dwell in every corner of the jungle. Rituals and ceremonies play a crucial role in their culture; they create special moments in their lives while also honoring their ancestral traditions.
3. Responsible Community Tourism
The successful project developed by the Kichwa Añangu community is called Centro de Vida Silvestre Napo, an internationally recognized ecological lodge managed by the inhabitants of the town. This lodge offers a unique experience close to nature while preserving the local ecosystem. They created it to generate employment, preserve the environment, and prevent community members from emigrating due to a lack of resources.
By staying at the Napo Wildlife Center, your visit has a positive impact on the preservation of this fragile ecosystem. The Kichwa Añangu, with their beliefs and close relationship with nature, lead the way in sustainable tourism in Ecuador. This tourism plays an important role as an alternative for these ancient communities to survive while showing us their greatest treasure: the extensive biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
4. Napo Cultural Center
The Napo Cultural Center offers an authentic and enriching experience in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, within the Yasuní National Park. This lodge, also managed by the Añangu community, allows visitors to connect deeply with the local culture. Guests can participate in traditional rituals, learn about ancestral customs, visit the ceremonial house or wasi and experience sustainable practices that preserve the natural environment. Guided hiking and wildlife watching activities provide a unique immersion in Amazonian culture and nature, harmonizing with the community and the environment.
5. Language and traditions
Although many of the inhabitants of the Añangu community can speak Spanish, their native language is Kichwa, which continues to be the principal means of transmitting their beliefs and traditions from generation to generation. Some of the best-known are activities such as weaving, dancing, music, and storytelling, which reflect the great knowledge and attachment they have to nature and the environment.
Considering that the Kichwa culture is managed under a strong sense of community and spirituality. The Añangu organization is governed under a community system where decision-making is done collectively. In such a way all members of the community play an important role in the society since teamwork is the fundamental pillar for the development and survival of the group. A clear demonstration of this is that each family participates in the operation and maintenance of the Napo Wildlife Center.
Are you ready to live an unforgettable adventure?
A visit to the Añangu community provides a unique opportunity to learn about an ancestral culture that has preserved its traditions while protecting one of the most fragile and diverse ecosystems in Ecuador and the world. From exploring the Amazon rainforest to participating in spiritual ceremonies, this experience will be unforgettable.
