Chachi

From NativeWiki

About 600 Chachi (traditionally called "Cayapas") live in communities. Their territory is bordered by the Cayapa, Santiago, Onzole and Canandé rivers. They number about 4000, and they are known for their fabrication of canoes and traditional basket weaving. Their traditional language is similar to that of the Awa and Tsáchila.

The Chachi often clash over limited resources with the Afro-Ecuadorians who occupy the same region. According to Chachi tradition, they are originally from the province of Imbabura in the highlands, but fled toward the coast in the face of the Inka and Spanish conquests. Traditionally their economy was based on hunting, gathering, and fishing, but now they engage in agriculture both for household consumption as well as growing coffee and cacao for export. They are organized into twenty-eight Centros ("Centers") which are grouped into the Federación de Centros Chachi del Ecuador (FECCHE, Federation of Chachi Centers of Ecuador).