Wekain Ecotour Ecuador

Ecuador is the most mega diverse country in the world per hectare, has four regions with climatic characteristics and totally different landscapes, these are: Amazonia, Coast, Highlands and Galapagos It has 1616 species of birds, 350 species of reptiles, 400 species of amphibians, 324 species of mammals and 1400 species of fish between marine species and river waters. The Galapagos Islands need no introduction, as they are one of the most enchanting areas of the world and appreciated by tourists and scientists; gaining more fame from the research of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution when studying the differences between finches (birds).

Also this country stands out in the world for having one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet "Yasuni National Park", with an area of 1'022,736 ha, research conducted in the last decade reflect impressive figures not previously recorded in any other area of tropical forest in the region. And although the data may vary over the years, they give us an idea of what this national park is home to: more than 2,000 species of trees and shrubs, 204 species of mammals, 610 species of birds, 121 species of reptiles, 150 species of amphibians and more than 250 species of fish. In one hectare of Yasuní, for example, 650 species of trees were reported, which represents more than those found in all of North America.

In addition to its natural beauties, Ecuador also has a mega diverse cultural heritage, 14 cultures with different traditions, different languages, different gastronomy, different clothing and unique games and festivals of each culture. Ecuador has beautiful historical centers, such as the historical center of Guayaquil, the historical center of the city of Cuenca and the most important and the best historical center of South America, the historical center inside Quito.

What does Wekain mean?

The term WEKAIN comes from the Shuar - Chichan language which means WALKER (person who enjoys walking and going far from home), this term was used by the people of the Shuar culture.

Wekain Ecuador and the Shuar Culture

It is a culture of the Amazon and one of the largest cultures of Ecuador, living in the provinces of Morona Santiago, Pastaza, Napo and Zamora Chinchipe. Although there are also large concentrations of Shuar in Peruvian territory. Neither the Inca nor the Spanish Empire managed to control this territory. This culture has gained a fame of warrior, since they were never dominated, because in 1490 they rejected the Incas and in 1549 they made the first Spanish incursions fail. In 1599 the Shuares led by Kirup definitively expelled the Spaniards from their territory, who gave them the name of Jíbaros.

One of their strangest customs, which has made them known worldwide, is the practice of the TZANZA (head reduction), this tradition had part when two Shuar tribes face each other for territory or for other reasons, the winning chief takes the head of the losing chief and proceeds to the reduction of his head. The Shuar chief is in charge of doing the tzantza all alone, in deep meditation and fasting. The members of the defeated tribe become part of the winning tribe, without repudiation or discrimination.