The Andean and coastal regions are, in many ways, worlds apart and the Amazon region, though only sparsely populated, contains tribal peoples completely disconnected from Ecuador’s mainstream cultures.
History and ethnicity
As in all countries, Ecuador’s culture is a product of its history, both ancient and modern. Prior to the Spanish, this part of South America was ruled by various indigenous groups. These were conquered by the Inca in the 1400s who were in turn conquered, just over a hundred years later, by the Spanish.
It’s the Spanish who’ve had the biggest impact on the country’s ethnic and cultural DNA. The majority of Ecuador’s modern-day population is, at least to some degree, Mestizo - a person of combined white European and local indigenous descent. The Hispanic brand of Roman Catholicism has also been wildly successful here, with more than 95% of the population self-identifying as Catholic - a higher proportion than modern-day Spain.
The flourishing Afro-Ecuadorian culture began to develop after Spaniards brought Africans to the coastal regions as slaves. Today, most Afro-Ecuadorians are concentrated in the north-western Esmeraldas province and have a distinct heritage all of their own. They make up around 7% of the country’s population.
Indigenous peoples make up around 25% of the overall population. The majority of these are Kichwa-speaking highlanders (usually bilingual in Spanish), most of whom live in rural Andean communities. The rest comprise mostly Amazonian Indians, many of whom are nomadic communities still uncontacted by the outside world such as the Huaorani people.
Modern waves of migration have brought substantial waves of Chinese and Japanese populations to the country who have developed their own unique subcultures.
Custom and convention
Greetings in Ecuador are very similar to those you’d find in most other Hispanic countries - a handshake if you’re not well acquainted with somebody, or a kiss on each cheek between closer friends. In more rural areas, locals may offer you their wrist to shake - a product of an agricultural lifestyle where soiled hands are common.
Ecuadorians use a number of gestures you might be unfamiliar with: drawing a circle in the air with your index finger means “back soon” while sticking out one’s hand and twisting it is an apologetic gesture to indicate that something isn’t possible. Raising your voice and pointing are considered rude.
If you’re ever invited to an Ecuadorian family’s home, it’s polite to bring a small gift. Remember that it’s not uncommon for dinner to be served as late as 11pm or midnight. Never leave food on your plate - if you can’t finish your meal, ask if you can take the leftovers home.
Dressing in conservative, European fashions is the norm for most Ecuadorians (though this is dependent on other factors such as class and ethnicity). If you’re mixing in business circles, then smart dress will be expected. Hats, shorts and skirts should never be worn inside churches.
Religion
The effects of Roman Catholicism on Ecuadorian society have been profound. Religion dictates the importance, and manner of ritual and ceremony in everyday life - birth, marriage and death are all dealt with in a way intelligible to anyone with an understanding of Christianity. Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation are all important stages in a child’s upbringing.
Less familiar to those coming from outside Hispanic cultures will be the quinceañera ceremony and celebration. This is observed when girls reach fifteen, the idea being that this is the moment females come of age. The religious element comes in the form of a church service in which the girl is ‘presented’ to society. This is usually followed by a big celebration involving family, friends, food and plenty to drink.
Class
Class in Ecuador is heavily influenced by the inherited casta system introduced by the Spaniards. As in much of Latin America, the upper class is dominated by people of pure European descent, with some mestizo influence. There’s very little evidence that those with indigenous or Afro-Ecuadorian heritage have managed to break this mould, and in many ways this state of affairs is completely entrenched. Despite the well-intentioned efforts of President Correa, social mobility is still largely a fantasy in Ecuador, where the rich carefully protect their wealth and status.
The vast majority of Ecuador’s population is working class, and a lack of economic opportunity has led to mass migrations to richer countries, particularly Spain and the U.S., where many Ecuadorians are willing to work for less than locals.
Food and drink
One of the biggest points of separation between costeño and serrano culture is the culinary divide. Basic staples in the highlands are corn and potatoes, while in the pacific region you’ll find people rely on rice, beans and plantain for sustenance. Andean specialities include locro (a thick, hearty soup made with potatoes, cheese and avocados) and cuy asado (roast guinea pig), while ceviche (raw fish with lime, tomatoes and onion) is much more popular along the coast.