HISTORY OF THE COFAN INDIANS
 |
The Cofán culture probably has its roots in proto-Chibchan hunters who wandered down from the Colombian highlands near the present border of Colombia and Ecuador some time in the distant past. The culture established itself in the headwaters of several rivers in the area between Colombia and Ecuador . Eventually organizing itself along the lines of "city and states", with each village/town independent except when an outside threat asked for a united coalitions to face the common enemy.
They speak the Cofán language or A'ingae, a language of the Chibchan family and call themselves the A'i people.
The fact that they had a social structure with some specialization is implied by the intricate knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants that is maintained even today. They followed the stars, and predicted the arrival of the yearly floods with uncanny accuracy.
In the late 1940's the Cofán population was probably less than five hundred people, living on the Guamués, San Miguel, and Aguarico rivers of southern Colombia-northern Ecuador . Nowadays the A'í population raised again to about 2000 people, living in both countries.
|
The Siona and Cofán intermarried freely and frequently, and there was much cultural cross- fertilization. A high degree of bilingualism between the two languages is the norm. Low populations and abundant natural resources had turned both groups into semi-nomadic hunters and fishers; subsistence agriculture revolved around yuca (manioc) and plantain bananas, and leisure time was spent in the pursuit of supernatural powers via the use of a broad range of mind-altering drugs.
|
At present, the Cofán of Zábalo is continuing their goals of conservation and wise use of their environment. Ecotourism and crafts continue to be the main economic activities, while hunting, fishing, and subsistence agriculture provide the daily needs of the village. The growth of an identity along with a pride in their history and traditions is very apparent in this community.
Zábalo (Centro Cofán Zábalo) the Cofán community with 135,000 hectares is the largest land-base, most closely approximating what is truly necessary for the maintenance of a traditional mode of subsistence. Currently, this territory is held under an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment because of its location within the Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve, a national park in which the Cofán have the legal status of wildlife rangers.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
