(ANS - Quito) - Digna Palumba belongs to the indigenous community of Zumbahua. It was there she was born, grew up and lived until five months ago when she moved to Quito to study Management and Leadership at the Salesian Polytechnic University. She describes her homeplace as a plain with many meadows, marked by cold, wind and rainbows ... Miguel Angel Sarango is also indigenous, but from the community of Saraguros. They are friends and both attend the course in Communication  at the Salesian University.

Palumba and Sarango are just two examples of the thrity-seven indigenous students who study at the Salesian Polytechnic University of Ecuador. Others attend courses in Biotechnology, Management and Leadership, and Psychology, according to an article published online in the Ecuadorian newspaper  “El Comercio”.

Learning does not end with lessons. The University provides opportunities for the students to share the indigenous traditions with teachers and peers.

The feast of Christmas, less than a week away, is an opportunity to share the folk activities that take place in the various communities. Sarango tells of two characters unknown to his friends. They are "Markantaita" and "Markanmama" (Godfather and Godmother), who organize and lead the celebrations which feature a colourful procession in which the whole community participates.

Palumba says that also in her community of Zumbahua, there are individuals responsible for the festivities but they do not have a specific name. They dress up as animals and go out on the streets marching to the sound of the drum and a special wind instrument.

The Salesian Polytechnic University has become a place of encounter and exchange of knowledge between students and teachers. It presents a real opportunity for progress to the youth of the community.

The Salesian Polytechnic University of Ecuador has become a place for the meeting of cultures and  exchange of knowledge  for both students and teachers. It offers a real opportunity for progress to the young people who come from indigenous communities in the Amazon jungle

Many of these students live in a residence that the Salesians have built especially for them.

Published 23/12/2014