So much fun in Cotacachi!

 Cotacachi is one of my favorite places to visit. There is so much to see and so much of what I love is right in the heart of this beautiful little town, rich in heritage, culture and amazing finds of all kinds. 

Cotacachi's Hollywood Sign by Daniel Bozza

 As you enter the town limits, you are treated to this Hollywood like sign up on the hill.

This is the town where leather goods are made. Many bargains are made here at this artistic town.

This is Catredral La Matriz de Nuestra Señora de La Concepcion or Immaculate Conception Church, is  in the center of town where many activities are held.

One of the most attended festivals is that of the celebration of Inti Raymi (Fiesta of the Sun) 

According to retired resident and historian, David Sasaki; 

It is a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times in the Andes. The commemoration is related to the end of an agricultural cycle, for which nature is thanked with products for the 10 months of planting. The Spanish and the Catholic Church banned Inti Raymi., but it was then celebrated in secrecy. The Church finally decided to combine the Christian celebration in honor of St. John the Baptist with Inti Raymi. You will often hear Ecuadorians, including the indigenous, refer to Inti Raymi as San Juan. June 29 corresponds to the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which became known as San Pedro.

Dancing at the Inti Raymi Festival by David Saski

Each region in the Andes has a different way of celebrating Inti Raymi. There is usually music and dancing. In Imbabura Province, there is a ritual called the 'Toma de la Plaza' (Taking of the square). In Cotacachi the indigenous dancers are on the four corners of the main plaza. They are symbolically taking back the land that was once theirs.

Women Dancing at the Festival by David Saski

Children at the Festival by David Saski

Many foreigners ask about the significance of the dancers' outfits, especially the hats. The entire outfit: chaps (zamarros), whip and hat is a caricature of the mayordomos, the foremen or stewards at the haciendas where the indigenous once worked. The foreman went around on a horse. He wore chaps, a hat and carried a whip. By wearing this outfit, the indigenous are showing they now have the power.

ARTISTRY

Cotacachi is famous for leather goods. There is a leather tanning business in the town that still uses ancestral techniques. I visited the workshop of Luis Yamberla Cacuango. Señor Yamberla and his family are the only leather artisans in Cotacachi who use an ancient tanning method that doesn't involve modern chemicals. When I visited, he was busy using a machine to trim excess material from a leather hide. Among other things, he makes the whips and zamarros (chaps) used by dancers during the Inti Raymi festival. I've read the family does not make much money, but continues the ancestral tradition.

GASTRONOMY At this time, I do not have a complete list of all the places to eat in Cotacachi, but one of my favorite places to eat is El Leñador; and the other is at La Mirage. The presentation is off the charts!  The ambiance, although different, both offer an excellent eating experience.  Here is a review from one of our tourists, Beverly. The experience at La Mirage was exceptional. The dinning experience was excellent.  Their presentation was so beautiful. This is by no means a comprehensive list of places to eat in Cotacachi! There are so many great places, but these happen to be my favorites! I hope you can see why I am so excited to bring tourists here to this beautiful place! I will be posting again about this beautiful place because there is so much to report!  I will end my post here... until next time! Happy Travels! Alicia PS- we are taking deposits for our August Tour which includes visiting this incredible place. Check it out at www.metraveladventures.com/home