A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

The photo above was taken at Nazacota Puendo, a public bilingual school en San Pedro, Ecuador. I chose this picture because it represents both the great diversity of Ecuador’s people as well as the shared values that unite the unique cultures to function as a single nation.  In this photo, the students are lining up to perform the Ecuadorian National Anthem. All of the children that attend this school are from the surrounding indigenous communities. There native language is Kichwa. In response to this cultural difference, the school teaches half of their classes in Kichwa and the other half in Spanish. They respect the culture of the local community by maintaining the native dress, participating in traditional seasonal ceremonies and offering their school as a community center when classes are not in session.

For me, this picture is especially powerful because it represents “interculturalidad,” which roughly translates to “interculturality.” It describes not only acceptance of other cultures, but also the incorporation of cultures to create one whole. It suggests a “mezcla” (mix) of different cultures and worldviews. In this photo, a little boy dressed in traditional indigenous clothing is holding the Ecuadorian flag as they sing the national anthem. Instead of singing it normally in Spanish, they sing in Kichwa. This is the perfect example of how cultures have mixed, shared, and learned from others.

Ecuador is nowhere near a perfect country in terms of ethnic and racial relations. Indigenous peoples and afro-ecuadorians are still harshly discriminated in many parts of the country. Ecuador is changing however—albeit slowly. What this picture represents is a hopeful example of harmony and understanding between different cultures.