Quichua, Canar Highland in Ecuador

People Name:	Quichua, Canar Highland
Country:	Ecuador
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	172,000
World Population:	172,000
Primary Language:	Quichua, Canar Highland
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	96.00 %
Evangelicals:	2.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Quechua
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Quichua or Quechua are a cluster of indigenous peoples who are direct descendants of Incas. Before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, the Incas ruled an empire from Columbia to Chile. They are perhaps the largest indigenous people in the Americas. The common thread among the Quichua is their use of the Quechua language. Some dialects are mutually unintelligible.

During the days of the Incan Empire, the ancestors of the Quichua built excellent roads and buildings. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the Quichua had their land taken from them. The Spanish used the land to form large estates. Indigenous people became virtual slaves. Old World diseases brought by the Spaniards killed hundreds of thousands of Quichua.

In recent years, some of the South American governments have tried to return some the land to the Quichua peoples.

The Canari Highland Quichua live in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. A complete Bible became available in Canari Highland Quichua in 2010.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The first potato harvests came from the Quichua hundreds of years before the coming of the Spanish. The Quichua peoples are farmers who grow potatoes as a staple food. They also grow peanuts, yuccas, sweet potatoes, maize, coriander, beans, barley and chili peppers. Those who live at high elevation are more likely to be livestock herders. They herd and eat llamas, sheep and goats. Quichua women make colorful clothing, artwork and mats that they sell to get money.

Unfortunately, most Quichua in Ecuador live poverty today. Many young Quichua people are moving to Spanish speaking cities looking for a better life.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though the Canari Highland Quichua people are officially Roman Catholic, they blend this with their ancient religions. Old gods are given the names of Catholic saints. They have a procession featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary followed by a mass. Mary is joined to the ancient Earth Mother goddess. The parade features sacrificed animals, alcohol and cigarettes for the ancient gods. Drunkenness is sadly a big part of these festivals. Mountain spirits called Apus, are part of the syncretic belief system of the Quichua.

A small fraction of Canari Highland Quichua have become genuine followers of Jesus Christ.

What Are Their Needs?

The Canari Highland Quichua people need to understand the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. They need to take God at his word and abandon all remnants of false religions. The Quichua need to see Biblical Christianity shown to them in practical ways.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to move among the Quichua Canari Highland people of Ecuador giving them a desire for the purity and forgiveness of Christ.

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving workers to the unreached Quichua peoples throughout South America.

Pray for the Quichua to be convicted of sin and drawn to God’s righteousness in Christ.

Ask the Lord to raise up Quichua pastors who can lead and teach their people.