Culture Note: Ecuador
Ecuador is named after the equator, which runs through the country, and is a country with many diverse ethnic groups and regional differences.
Ecuador’s mainstream culture is defined by its combination of European and Native American descent. Ecuador is ravaged by regionalism. Therefore, Ecuadorian culture is not one single culture; it is a whole range of cultures mingled together, representing every level of the very layered community.
Most Ecuadorians speak Spanish, though many speak Amerindian languages such as Kichwa (Quichua). These languages are spoken by the Indian population. Ten other native languages are spoken besides Spanish.
Ecuadorians place great importance on family, both nuclear and extended. Elderly Ecuadorians will often live with one of their children. Godparents are also far more important in Ecuador than in other western countries, and they are expected to provide both financial and psychological support to their godchildren.
Women are generally responsible for the upbringing and care of children, and of husbands in Ecuador, and traditionally, men have taken a completely inactive role in this area.
Recently, this has begun to change due to the fact that more women are joining the workforce, which has resulted in men doing a little housework and becoming more involved in the care of their children.
