BIENVENIDOS A ECUADOR
DRESS
The Mestizo people dress similar to the people of the United States; however, the Indigenous people have a rather distinctive dress code. It is influenced by the cultural diversity that can be found in the various regions of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. People who are familiar with the native dress can often tell what region a local is from based on what they wear.
You can expect to see many distinctively dressed Otavalenos in Ecuador, especially in the Quito area. The men's dress usually consists of a blue poncho, a fedora, or a felt hat and white, calf-length knickers. The Shimba (a long braid that hangs down nearly to the man's waist) that dates back to pre-Inca times is a very traditional piece of clothing. In fact the Shimba is so important to the natives that they see it as a symbol of indigenous ethnic identity. When the indigenous men serve in the Ecuadorian army, they are not required to cut the Shimba off.
The Ecuadorian woman's dress is the closest to the Incan costumes worn in the Andes. A white blouse, a blue skirt and a shawl is usually worn. Jewelry is very important, layers of necklaces of predominantly gold beads and red coral bracelets are the most common form of jewelry worn by the Otavalo women.
In coastal regions men usually wear 'Guayaberas' (loose-fitting men's shirt often worn in lieu of a jacket) and women wear light dresses. Foreigners however are expected to dress more formally for business appointments. In the uplands it is best to wear a coat and tie for business meetings. Men should wear a coat and tie even in hot weather, preferably in dark or passive colors. For social gatherings a coat and tie are also in order. Women dress more conventionally. A tailored-made suit or dress is the most suitable for business meetings. Also, a cocktail dress is very sensible for social gatherings.
SYMBOLS
Identity as Ecuadorian has many key symbols. La patria ("the motherland") is complemented by el pais, "the fatherland" (country). The former is the more powerful evocative referent of collective identity. While el pais may be in chaos, la patria endures. The government is closely related to the fatherland. It expresses itself through el estado ("the state"). The people look to the government for sustenance and protection, but also expect corruption. When the government cannot serve the people, they rise up as one. Governability is another key symbol in Ecuador and every leader has stated that Ecuador is a very difficult nation/nation-state to govern.
The national anthem is played and sung, often with all of its verses, at all public gatherings in every setting, including those involving nationalities that may be at odds with the government. Every television station signs on with the national anthem, often accompanied by pictures of the national flag flying and hte golden sun mask radiating. Also included are ethnic and geographic scapes that remind everyone of the topographical and cultural diversity of the country.
Two key symbols represent both cultural - biological centralization and homogenization and diversification, human integrity, and dignity. The first is mestizaje, which is promulgated by the elite, who descend from Europeans. It refers to a body of blended Ecuadorians who occupy the middle to lower classes. It is confronted constantly by the second symbol of nacionalidad ("nationality") which refers to being culturally distinct in an oppressive nationalist state.
CULTURE
Ecuador is a collectivistic culture. Everything is done with and for the family. There is a LOVE in the family (husband, wife and children) and in the extended family as well. The family gets together constantly. Family gatherings happen all the time and unlike the United States, are not reserved for festivities or holidays. The importance of family in Ecuador comes before all other things: money, sleep, work. In many cases, brothers, sisters, cousins and parents all live in the same building so they can be near one another. When children go off to college, they live at home and commute every day. Most universities do not even have dormitory facilities as an option for students, and the idea of a child or sibling moving far away for a job opportunity or a change of scenery is uncommon.
Every day around 1:00 P.M., Ecuadorians leave their jobs and reunite with their families for a large meal and pleasant conversation. This time is built into everyone's daily schedule. "Family" consists of immediate, extended, adopted, in-laws, second-cousins, half-sisters, everyone. Houses are constantly filled with visitors stopping by, and many homes have extra rooms for overnight family sleepovers. "Nothing is more important than family here," said Marcia Amaquina Logacho, an Ecuadorian culture professor at the University of San Francisco, Quito. "Ecuadorians take pride in their country by taking pride in their family. As long as the family is healthy and living, we are happy. The idea of saving time in one's day for family is extremely important. In the U.S., I feel like you try to do that, but it doesn't always work out. Life is much more fast-paced and goal-oriented. But here, it's part of the culture to include family in everything we do. It's been ingrained in us for many centuries, and now it's a part of life."
The culture in Ecuador is constantly showing us the importance of family. This culture of familia closeness was the defining "a-ha" moment for me. I have noticed while watching many of Ecuador's videos that families are always together. Whether it is just walking around, eating out, shopping together, etc. the whole family holds hands as they walk down the street. It’s beautiful! It’s not uncommon to see fathers and daughters holding hands lovingly together as they go about their day. Now, for my American need to distance from family, this affection is a sight for sore eyes. If Americans are honest with ourselves, we really never see this in the United States (U.S.) anymore. In fact, if an older man is seen holding hands with his daughter in the U.S, people would think he is a pervert or cradle robber.
Most Ecuadorian fathers protect their daughters by loving them with “tough love” rather than being not interested or absent in their lives. And because fathers take their fatherhood role with such importance, it makes sense then that when the daughters get married they are not defiant with their own husbands for independence, which works in the current Ecuador culture. Ecuadorians believe this is one of the keys to a happy marriage. Study after study has been done that shows when a young woman respects her father and when the father protects his daughter through whatever means he deems appropriate, then when she is married she will treat her husband as the head over her with respect! Respect is an important part of marriage. In fact without it, the marriage is most-likely doomed. Growing up in a very religious household the idea of obeying your husband, a Biblical principle never sat well with my American woman ideal. One important day my father asked me to read the verse that follows, "Wives obey your husband" (Ephesians 5:22). The following verse says, "Husbands love your wives as Christ love the church." My father thoughtfully explained to me that this means if a man loves you and is willing to die for you, respecting him is easy.
Is the culture perfect in Ecuador? No, it is not. A problem with most Latin American culture is the womanizing by some of the men, even if they are married. Not all men do it, but some of them do. It seems that it is ok for married men to flirt but if the married women do it, it’s another thing. Most Latin women are conservative and wouldn’t dare flirt with a man when she is married. The view that it is ok for married men to womanize is flawed and morally corrupt. It just goes to show that no place in the world is perfect; however, the Ecuadorian culture is a fantastic example of family and the importance of family in our lives. Can Ecuador work on their viewpoint of other classes and cultures? Absolutely!
Don’t get me wrong, when a son or daughter marries, of course they move into their own apartment or house and they have their own lives, but they may still work in the family business helping out their mom and dad when they can, they still have family get togethers, and most of them don’t move hundreds or thousands of miles away. People are happy in Ecuador and more relaxed because the love of family takes priority. Very rarely are there family feuds among Latin Americans. People are quick to forgive and forget and love one another. Sadly, this is something that rarely exists in other parts of the world. Today marriage and family values still exist in Ecuador and I was very inspired to have been a small part of that culture for a brief period of time.
