Cultural strategies for the preservation of the Shuar community's heritage and the promotion of local tourism

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the importance of preserving the traditional culture of the Shuar community in Ecuador, focusing on their cultural heritage and ancestral practices, and propose a series of cultural actions to strengthen their identity and promote local tourism. A mixed methodology was used, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observation, and multicriteria analysis using the AHP method were applied. These tools helped identify the main customs and beliefs of the Shuar people, as well as the factors affecting their continuity. The results showed a significant loss of Shuar cultural identity, mainly due to migration, the adoption of new religions, the influence of scientific medicine, and modernization. Fundamental elements like the Shuar chicham language, traditional clothing, and ancestral house construction have drastically declined. However, festivals and rituals such as the Chonta Festival and the Ayahuasca Ceremony continue to play a central role in community life. To counteract cultural loss, various strategies were proposed, such as developing ethnocultural tourism routes, organizing annual festivals, training local tour guides, and promoting ecotourism based on the Shuar worldview. These actions aim not only to revitalize the culture but also to generate sustainable income for the community and ensure the transmission of ancestral knowledge to future generations.

Keywords: Traditions, Cultural characteristics, Globalization, Ethnocultural tourism, Cultural preservation, Ancestral heritage.