Ecuador – Shuar People's Day Celebration
Bomboiza, Ecuador – February 2024 - On 18 January each year, the "Shuara Tsawantri", or "Shuar People's Day" cultural celebration takes place in commemoration of the birth of the Shuar Federation, an epoch-making event for this people. The celebration, established in the statutes of the Federation, seeks to instill in Shuar children and young people the historical value of their people, as well as recognizing the crucial role of Salesians in the formation of the federation. The day is also an opportunity to reaffirm Shuar identity, promote the defence of the territory and express gratitude to the courageous Salesian missionaries who have contributed to the development and protection of the Shuar and Achuar people. For these reasons, on 9 February the Salesian "Fiscomisional Etsa" Intercultural Bilingual Educational Unit celebrated the "Shuara Tsawantri"cultural day considering that the majority of Salesian stdents there are affiliated with the Shuar Federation. The Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centres has its roots in a crucial moment in the history of this indigenous Amazonian people. It was during the first Shuar leaders' conference, held from 9-13 January 1964, that the foundations for its creation were laid. In this historic meeting, in which 52 Shuar leaders participated, the most important decision was made to form a federation and assume self-government, a significant step that marked the beginning of a new era for the Shuar people.