UYANTZA OF THE ORIGINAL KICHWA PEOPLE OF SARAYAKU
UYANTZA, a traditional and cultural festival of the Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku, held every two years, is an event where the men venture deep into the jungle, deciphering the messages and secrets of nature and the guardian beings of the Living Forest—Kawsak Sacha—and obtain what Mother Earth offers them to carry out their celebration. The women remain in the village, where their skill and expertise prepare chicha (a fermented beverage) and weave the most beautiful clay pottery (Mukawa, Kalliana, and Puru) to serve the chicha and food during the festival.
This sacred Uyantza ritual symbolizes life and reaffirms the enduring sovereignty of the Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku. It is a moment of learning where young people and children acquire new knowledge of Sacha Runa Yachay—the knowledge of the people of the forest. Furthermore, it is an act of unity and solidarity among communities and an expression of gratitude to Amazanka, nunkuli, and Mother Earth for the bounty and abundance that Mother Nature bestows upon them each day.
Before departing for the jungle, the hunting assistants of the party receive intensive socialization from the KASKIRUNAS technicians—guardians of the living jungle of Sarayaku—on the rules of the territorial management and administration plan and coexistence for Sumak Kawsak, with the purpose of carrying out a controlled and respectful hunt for Mother Earth and thus guaranteeing the abundance of the flora and fauna resources of the Sarayaku territory.
The departure of the priostes (stewards) and their hunting assistants to the jungle is on Monday, January 30th, and the return of the “Chayuk” (stewards), called SHAMUNGUICHU, is on February 10th. The flower gathering (minga) of SISA PUNCHA takes place on the 11th, the grand banquet CAMARI on the 12th, and PURU PAKINA, the breaking of the clay pots, is on Monday the 13th. The festival is entirely traditional and is characterized by the typical attire and traditional face paint worn by the people who dance to the rhythm of drums and pijuano (a type of flute), ancestral music and art of the Amazonian Kichwa people of Sarayaku.
WAKTACHIK. Sarayaku Communication