Saraguro Canton, Administrative canton in Loja Province, Ecuador
Saraguro Canton is an administrative division in Loja Province, southern Ecuador, made up of eleven parishes set across mountainous terrain. The elevation shifts considerably from one parish to the next, shaping both the land and the way people live there.
In the 15th century, the Inca ruler Tupak-Yupanki resettled highland communities from other regions to replace the native Paltas people who had lived here before. That shift in population permanently changed the makeup of local society, and its effects can still be seen today.
The people here speak Kichwa and Spanish, and many wear traditional black and white clothing that forms a key part of their identity. This clothing and language remain visible in daily life and connect residents to their heritage.
The territory covers a wide range of elevations, so it is worth bringing layers for shifting temperatures throughout the day. Getting between parishes can take time, as roads follow the mountain terrain and are often winding.
The Saraguro people, who give the canton its name, are said to trace their origins to communities from the area of Lake Titicaca, far to the south. Many members of this group hold university degrees and work as professionals, making them one of the more formally educated indigenous groups in Ecuador.
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