Is it possible for a place to embody the spirit of a community? Right here stands the IASD Cocotog. It is more than just a church. It represents the heart and soul of San José de Cocotog.
San José de Cocotog is an indigenous commune northeast of Quito. It spans 66 square kilometers in the Guanguiltahua Valley. The Guayllabamba River separates Cocotog from other towns. These include Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, Yaruquí, Checa and El Quinche.
The ancestral language is Quichua. Today only the elderly speak it daily. The area boasts vegetation like algarrobo and penco. You will also find avocado and eucalyptus trees. A variety of fruit trees and shrubs are also present.
The main economic activities are agriculture and animal husbandry. Many residents also work in Quito. They work in industries like textiles and construction. Some are employed by municipal public works companies.
Cocotog became a commune in 1948. Before that it was part of the Zámbiza parish. The aim was independence from the parish head. They also sought better management for the benefit of its residents. Today Cocotog consists of five neighborhoods. These are San Miguel, Jesús del Gran Poder, Central, Santa Ana and Yurac Alpaloma.
Since the arrival of the Spanish, the indigenous population has been marginalized. They were prevented from developing independently. The Spanish conquest disrupted the culture of their ancestors. It suppressed their productive wisdom. Also affected was their philosophical and spiritual knowledge. This project of cultural assimilation outlived the conquistadors. It was inherited by the criollos. They believed in suppressing the original culture. They wanted to impose a white-mestizo Eurocentric culture.
Despite centuries of oppression, the colonized resisted. They maintained aspects of their ancestral culture.
Historically, mestizaje in Cocotog has been linked to work in the city. Residents sought better incomes. Agriculture and animal husbandry were not enough. Public policies favored urban centers. This forced communities to seek a better life in the city.
Teenagers studying in the city faced a hostile environment. They experienced the underlying racism of the white-mestizo population. Indigenous people were seen as inferior. This created feelings of rejection. Some abandoned traditional clothing and their language.
However many adolescents valued their roots as adults. They accepted themselves. These individuals did not succumb to the daily anxiety. They did not feel the need to compete for success and social recognition at all costs.
Despite this, the process of cultural assimilation continues. Each generation becomes further removed. This trend has accelerated over the last twenty years. This is due to higher education access. Also contributing are movement to the city. Economic individualization is another factor. The weakening of community political organization also plays a role.
Before becoming a commune, Cocotog existed within the Zámbiza parish. Social inequality existed between the parish head and the community. Parish authorities forced Cocotog residents to work for Zámbiza. Failure to comply resulted in reprisals. The priest forced Cocotog residents to bring chicha and mote to mingas. If they refused, their animals or crops were confiscated.
They lacked roads. People traveled to sell their harvest or services in the capital. They lacked basic services like drinking water and electricity. This manipulation and injustice created discomfort. This led to conflicts. The goal was greater independence from Zámbiza. They wanted to make decisions for the good of Cocotog.
Llano Chico and Zámbiza wanted the commune. They clashed over territory. A trial determined the new parishes. Mr. Mariano Simbaña represented the commune. He presented the community’s proposal.
Efforts to legally establish the commune began between 1946 and 1947. They explained the purpose and function of the commune. Despite doubts and disagreements, the indigenous commune of San José de Cocotog was founded. This occurred on June 15, 1948. It complied with the Law of Organization and Regime of Communes of 1937. Mr. Mariano Simbaña became the first president. He focused on essential works. These included drinking water and a bridge in the “La Cantera” sector. He also worked on road layout to Cocotog. The residents themselves collaborated on these projects.
Today the IASD Cocotog stands as a testament to their enduring faith. It reflects their commitment to community. It mirrors their hope for the future. It is a sanctuary. It is a gathering place. It is a symbol of the spirit of Cocotog.