Awá Kwaiker - Economy

Subsistence and Commercial Activities. Originally, the Awá Kwaiker were hunter-gatherers who supplemented their diet through the cultivation of a variety of maize that grows under almost wild conditions. After cutting down the jungle vegetation, the Awá Kwaiker throw the maize down and wait for it to sprout. No more is done until the harvest. In spite of this, the harvest is usually good because sunlight, as well as decomposing organic material, is channeled toward the crop. The farmer refrains from planting in the same area for at least five years, when the area has been covered by secondary growth. At the present time, the growing of maize is complemented by the cultivation of plantains and sugarcane and the raising of farm animals such as pigs and chickens. As with crops, the Awá Kwaiker invest little time and energy in the care of their animals: they mature almost in the wild. The key to survival is to live with what nature offers. They sell a few animals and their products and surplus maize: that is, they maintain a certain number of animals that function as fixed capital, and live on the income generated by these animals.

Industrial Arts. Crafts are directed toward satisfying needs of daily life. Because of the need to carry loads on their backs, the Awá Kwaiker make baskets of various sizes as well as jigras (bags made of vegetable fiber). Ceramic work has almost disappeared, and kitchen utensils are now bought in the market. Nevertheless, the construction of containers and canoes from the huge trees found in the area is still an important activity. Musical instruments are very important: among these are marimbas, drums, maracas, and flutes.

Trade. Commerce is limited: per-capita annual income is rarely more than the equivalent of $100. In general, the Awá Kwaiker sell maize, chickens, and pigs and buy salt, kerosene for lamps, machetes, rubber boots, and a suit of clothes for each family member.

Division of Labor. The sexual division of labor is very clear: the couple is the basic unit, supplying all the necessities of life. The woman combines domestic chores with child rearing and animal husbandry. Sometimes she is required to work in the fields and carry loads. The man dedicates his time to farming, hunting, and fishing (i.e., to food procurement), which has led to his having absolute authority in the family. The woman, on the other hand, is subordinate and is treated like a child. She is very quiet and is excluded from certain rituals.

Land Tenure. Originally, the Awá Kwaiker possessed large areas of land where they could hunt, fish, and rotate crops. With the colonization of the area, in spite of growth of the Awá Kwaiker population, not only were their holdings diminished, they were also forced to obtain legal titles to the land. This problem was more marked in areas close to the main road and towns: in more remote areas, especially close to Ecuador, the Awá Kwaiker retained larger domains and kept traditional property rights. At the present time, because of unclear property titles and pressure from other farmers, the National Institute of Land Reform has given the Awá Kwaiker three pieces of land under a reservation system (i.e., community property, not to be sold). The possibility of turning over additional land where the remaining Awá Kwaiker live is being studied.