Could the very ground we stand on hold the secrets of Quito’s survival? Here at the Urna Católica San Isidro Labrador in Pintag, a story unfolds, a tale woven into the fabric of this land. Pintag, a rural town just 35 km southeast of Quito, is more than a picturesque escape. It’s a vital source of water for the bustling city, its streams flowing from the páramo, nurtured by the shadow of the Antisana volcano. The Urna Católica San Isidro Labrador stands as a testament to this town’s enduring spirit.
Pintag, you see, carries the name of a hero, a pre-Columbian cacique, General Pintag. He chose this very ground as his base of resistance against the Inca invasion, holding back Huayna Cápac’s forces for twelve long years. The spirit of resistance, the connection to the land, echoes through the generations here in Pintag. Even today, the chacarera culture thrives, a culture of mountain knowledge, horsemanship, and cattle management. Many inhabitants are skilled horsemen, their sense of direction honed by generations navigating these lands.
The Urna Católica San Isidro Labrador is nestled within this vibrant community. Imagine the festivities of Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi, celebrations deeply rooted in the land and its history. Picture Rosalino Bautista, perhaps Pintag’s most recognized figure, playing his pingullo, a traditional wind instrument, keeping the musical traditions alive. Hear the melodies of the Sanjuanito carried on the wind, a sound Rosalino describes as “life” itself. The rhythm of life in Pintag is a blend of old and new. Alongside ancient traditions, you find enterprising spirit, like the Yanasacha Warmi, the first group of amateur mountaineering women in the country, leading treks through the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Antisana.
Think of the vibrant colors of Pintag: violets, yellows, and golds, painting the sunsets. Feel the cool air of the páramo, where hawks, condors, and curiquingues soar above the grasslands. Hear the rush of water from La Mica lagoon, a vital source for Quito, nestled on the slopes of Antisana. The Urna Católica San Isidro Labrador stands amidst all this, a quiet witness to the enduring spirit of Pintag. It reminds us that the survival of a great city often depends on the resilience of small communities, deeply connected to the land, like the people of Pintag. They are the keepers of the water, the keepers of tradition, the heart of a vibrant, living history.