‘Como el agua vuelve al mar, volvemos’. La importancia de la comunidad en la migración kichwa otavalo (Ecuador)

Resumen

This article discusses the migration of indigenous Kichwa Otavalo and the influence of this on local communities. It begins with a brief review of their migration history and the types of migrants, in order to understand how diverse forms of migration make a difference in social relations. This text focuses on changes that occur at the local level such as economic inequality and community relations transformations after 40 years of inter/transnational migration. The article also questions if Otavalo has built a “glocal” experience. It analyzes the fluid identity of the Kichwa Otavalo, and how their case contradicts the view that indigenous groups “lose” their identity because of global migration. The contradictions and conflicts arising from the migration experience are also examined.