The Essence of the Otavalo Essay -- Essays Papers

The Essence of the OtavaloIn our modern era and by our modern standards, the Otavalo battalion of Ecuador shine with give off success in the global arena. A myriad of factors have contributed to Otavalo successfulness and wealth, factors both outside and within their control, but factors nonetheless dependent upon the liquidity and ever-changing construct of indigenous personal identity. Tracing the saga of this indigenous peoples rise to textile, musical and cultural capital, the opportunistic attitude of the Otavalo remains the can for modern wealth and commerce. The true question of Otavalo success, however, rests not in frugalal prosperity alone, but in their inherent ability to adopt socially befitting modern traditions and retain the right to define the meaning of creation Otavalo. As early as the 1950s, indigenous merchants traveled to Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and genus Argentina seeking markets and commerce (36). This swell of savvy Otavalos seeking new carry on demonstrates the cultures durable penchant for innovative business and pecuniary exchange. However, it was not until 1964 that the Law of Agrarian Reform abolished wasipungu that major shifts in economic industry took hold of Otavalo. The process of redistribution levied out 180,000 acres of Otavalo land by 1979, but there was hardly enough land to support and food single families, and so families began to focus on textiles and tourism for support. In the touching of the 1974 OPEC oil crisis on Ecuadorian economy, the prosperity of the Otavalo persisted despite a floundering bailiwick economy because they relied on textiles and tourism rather than agriculture (39). With the advent of internal roads facilitating tourism, the profit of the Saturday market skyrocke... ...ain focused in the spiritual valley of their home (266). Quichua shows no signs of fading out of common tongue, traditional mark morphs agreeably with elements of modern fashion, and families still desire t o grow and prepare their declare food on their own land. Yet the growing focus on individual profit and individual success may harm incorporated economic success in the future of the Otavalo, if the community loses collective identity and thus, political clout. Though no community remains static or rigid against social change, the Otavalo must have the right to exist as they believe Otavalos should exist. As they emerge as a community of people who turn the tables on capitalism and thrive in the economic organise laid upon their country and their lives, they will chose to adopt modernity as they set about useful and blossom in the ever growing identity of the Otavalo.