Ancient Symbols/Contemporary Tools: Forging Counterhegemonic Coalitions in Ecuador

Abstract

In Ecuador's 1996 national elections the indigenous-based Pachakutic party achieved remarkable success.' This party was formed as a political arm of the Confederaci6n de Nacionalidades Indigenas del Ecuador, known as CONAIE. In spite of a short campaign-begun only about five months before the elections-and a minimal budget, the party managed to place their presidential candidate, Freddy Ehlers, in third place in the primary voting. In addition, numerous political gains were made in important local and regional posts such as mayors, senators, and congressional representatives-the latter achieving nearly ten percent of national representation. This essay will detail the role of ideological factors that contributed to the party's success. By examining ancient myths and symbols used during activist efforts, I will show how these elements served to promote a unified voting bloc among traditionally antagonistic indigenous > groups. To accomplish this task, I will briefly discuss the concept of indigenous nations within the Ecuadorian nation-state and provide a short historical background of the emergence of an overarching indigenous-based ideology as the political embodiment of indigenous counterhegemony. 29