The Cofans are one of the oldest surviving indigenous cultures of the Amazonian rain
forest. They live in their traditional homeland on the banks of the large
rivers of what is now northeastern Ecuador and southeastern Colombia. Fewer than 1,000 Cofan remain, with most living in Ecuador. Hunters,
fishers, and subsistence agriculturists, they are famous for their efforts to
protect their rain forest home from the oil industry, mining companies, and
colonists. Cofan are craftsmen and naturalists, with a deep understanding
and appreciation of their environment.
Efforts
by various Cofans and interested friends through the years have succeeded in
setting aside areas of the rain forest, legalizing communities, developing a
basic school system, and developing ecotourism programs, science projects and
other alternatives that fortify both the Cofan culture and economy. Most
recently, the Ecuadorian government assigned the largest extension of rain
forest land ever to be given to any native group, to be protected only by Cofans.
Part
of these efforts to conserve the Cofan indigenous culture include a
project of sustainable development promoting their crafts around the world. Every craft is hand made by both men and women, using only seeds and natural
resources to produce necklaces, feather objects, wrist bands, earrings, hunting
tools, hammocks and bags made of natural fibers, etc. The ecotourism
project brought a good income for the group; however, due to the vicinity with
Colombia and its political problems, tourists are afraid to visit the area.
The crafts were aimed for the tourists, but since there are no tourists any
more, we are forced to find ways to export these crafts out of the region.
Our
work is supported by the Cofan Survival Fund, a non-profit organization
dedicated to the survival of Cofan culture and its rain forest environment.
The Cofan Survival Fund has received recognition of exemption under Section 501
(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America (Tax ID No:
95-4712463). If you want to learn more about us, please visit our web page
www.cofan.org and you can
contact us by e-mail to the following address: vivianaprez@hotmail.com.
Additional Information
Of
Oil And Exploitation In Ecuador - ...
see their destiny foreshadowed by the fate of the almost totally decimated Cofan
Indians. The Cofan's 20-year encounter with the Texaco Oil Company has left ...
Cofans, Guardians of the Rain Forest
Ecuador:
the Cofan's successful action against an oil well
Cofan
Elder
Fichas de las Comunidades - Cofan
The wisdom of the Cofans
At home with the Cofan Indians
Protecting the Cofan Land Pt 1
Jon Kral Photography - Cofan Indians
Class-Action Pollution Trial
