South American music and culture magazine

In an effort to keep the natural environment healthy and thriving, only four of the Galapagos Islands are approved for residential living. Most of the islands are open to tourist traffic under the supervision of a Galapagos National Park naturalist. The Ecuadorian government has strict control over the number of annual visitors that are allowed to come to the islands. Privileged visitors come to this peaceful island chain straddling the equator for the pleasure of experiencing unique botanical finds, friendly engaging animals and crystal waters. Continue Reading

This Friday we are bringing you the current sounds of Ecuador with this mixtape of new indie music from Ecuador put together thanks to the great people at Gye-Ind. Based in Guayaquil, Gye-Ind are devoted to promoting the best new sounds of Ecuador via their Gye-Ind website. Continue Reading

It is 7 am. I have just arrived in Canelos, a remote Kithwa community of the Pastaza Province, the oldest one in the whole Ecuadorian Amazonian jungle. I jump on the back of a camioneta, a pick-up used as public transportation, to get to the family house of Delia, the community chief’s wife. Women from all generations are gathered outside, in the open-air den, sharing a simple daily life moment. Continue Reading

Heavy chains dragged on the ground, whips violently cracking on flesh, musicians playing in honour of God, spectators praying as penitents pass, priests’ voices giving their sermons… The sounds of Semana Santa (“Holy Week”) still echo in the streets of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Continue Reading

The past months have been very productive for the Ecuadorian film industry, and its products offer an unprecedented insight into one of the most felt topics: migration. Though the country is relatively small, with only 14 million inhabitants, Ecuadorians represent one of the largest groups of migrants to the New York area and Spain. Almost every family in Ecuador has a member living abroad. According to government figures, 21% of Ecuador’s population lives abroad. Migrants bring financial relief to their relatives, but migration also breaks normal family relations and brings about profound changes in the entire society. Last year’s films showed different facets of this phenomenon: from people-smuggling and adjusting to a new country, to dying abroad. It is not the first time migrants’ hardships made it on the big screen at the international level, but it is definitely new in this country. Why does it matter to Ecuador? Continue Reading

South America has one of the largest concentration of States in the world that would call themselves socialists. Although there are other countries with left-wing governments, this political doctrine seems to have settled more strongly in this continent. With approximately as many nations that have welcomed right wing or Christian-Democratic heads of State, as those which stand-out with a radical left-wing government, overall, South America stands as a spot with a large amount of supporters of the validity of socialism. Continue Reading

A deep, lush and luxuriant vegetation, winding rivers, an incredible wildlife, ancestral civilizations with their shamans and their extraordinary myths, and… oil fields. The legendary Amazon rainforest embodies what the planet has best to offer in terms of biodiversity and traditional cultures. But, today, it is threatened by oil pollution and deforestation. The Oriente, the Ecuadorian jungle, – which covers about half the territory, including national reserves with the most unique and richest biodiversity in the world – has been highly exploited by oil companies for decades, irreversibly damaging its environment and communities. Texaco, bought by Chevron in 2001, is blamed to be responsible for contaminating the rainforest during twenty-eight years and has to face a historic lawsuit that started in 1993. Continue Reading

Ecuador’s capital, San Francisco de Quito, better known as Quito, is a treasure in South America. Nestled between Andean mountains, on the foothills of the active Pichincha volcano, the city is the second highest capital city in the world. It offers a splendid view to all the surrounding volcanoes with their snowcapped peaks. But Quito’s best wonder is undoubtedly its historic centre. With about one hundred thirty historical monuments including over eighty churches and monasteries, Quito’s old town, which was declared the first “patrimony of mankind” by UNESCO in 1978, stands as the biggest, most beautiful and authentic colonial centre in the Americas. It’s inspiring beauty has been a muse for many artists throughout the centuries. This year, Quito has been chosen to be the 2011 American Capital of Culture. Continue Reading

The unique parts of the world have always drawn our attention. Those with historical significance, our wonder. A place with both has a guaranteed pot of interested travellers to draw from. The Galapagos Islands will always have the honour of association with Charles Darwin and the development of cornerstones in modern scientific thought, in the theory of evolution. Continue Reading

Following the attempted coup in Ecuador at the end of September, US politician Gloria La Riva has claimed the United States government was involved in the plot to oust President Rafael Correa. Sounds and Colours investigates the claims and looks back at the murky relationship between South America and the worlds premier superpower. Continue Reading

Situated between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador have formed their own sounds away from the cumbia of Colombia and the African and Criollo roots of Peru, with some influence from the traditional music of the Andes but mainly taking cues from the West. This is why here in our guide to some of the “underground” music of Ecuador we feature styles as varied as hip-hop, soul, electro, hip-hop, punk and rock, all of which have there very own Ecuadorian style. Continue Reading

Ecuador sits between Peru and Colombia, often not getting the platitudes it should. If you’re a traveller or tourist looking for beach destinations that are as beautiful as they are authentic and unique then you can’t fail with Ecuador. Great news also that many of the beaches in Ecuador are very close to each other, we’re talking about half-day journeys rather than the 48 hours it can take to go from one Peuvian beach to the next. With that in mind there is really no reason why you shouldn’t be visiting all of Ecuador’s beaches on your next trip – they’re definitely worth it! Continue Reading