Travel Guide Saraguro

74 km north of Loja. Saraguro, a small town without major interest, is only worth a detour if you want to meet the indigenous Saraguro community, which has about 2,500 members. Nowadays breeders, farmers and craftsmen, they are descendants of the Saraguro Indians who came from the heights of Lake Titicaca to consolidate the Inca Empire. For five centuries, the Saraguros have mourned the death of Atahualpa, the Inca emperor murdered by the Spanish invader. They have retained a vernacular language, which is now spoken by only a handful of people and is threatened with extinction.Their clothing tradition dates back to the Inca era and has not changed since then: short tunic, black bermuda shorts, wool poncho and leather belt for men; shawl, black wool skirt and colorful embroidered shirt for women. The weavings of the Saraguros are famous, as are the filigree silver jewellery that adorns women's bodices. A few shops in the village and weaving workshops a little outside the centre will allow you to appreciate this traditional art. From December 21 to 25, the communities are celebrating Marcan Taita, a celebration combining Catholic religion and Indian cosmogony that is said to derive from the Raimy Cápac (King's Day).Not to be missed: the colourful Sunday market!