COMPANA COCHA

Culture and Traditions of a Small Rain Forest Community along the

Napo River in Ecuador.

Mrs. Havrda’s Second Grade2007 - 2008May 8, 2008

GAMES

Can you imagine kids from Campana Cocha near the Napo River swinging on a swing? Also, they have running races, play hide and go seek, and play marbles. Amazingly they have TVs but no video games. Surprisingly some kids like to play in the mud.

Abraham

HARMFUL ANIMALS?

Can you imagine that the rain forest people in Campana Cocha have never gotten hurt by the wild animals. Sometimes pumas and jaguars eat their crops.

Brennan

TRADITIONS

Can you imagine if the Napo River wasn’t filled with fish? Then imagine the taste of hot smoky, steamy fish and smoked meat. This is a favorite tradition of Campana Cocha. Can you believe that they put the fish and meat in big leaves to smoke.

Ashton

RAIN FOREST HOUSES

You might be surprised to learn that people in the rain forest build their houses on stilts to protect them from the forest animals and the rivers rising. You will find that the roofs are made of palm leaves. Alejandra

FAVORITE DRINKS

You might be surprise to learn that people in Campana Cocha enjoy drinking ‘chicha’ made from fermented, mashed yucca. They also like local fruit juices like pineapple and papaya juice.

Nicole

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

Can you imagine that people from the General Pintag School go fishing and swimming in the Napo River. All sorts of fish lay their eggs in the river. That makes it a good fishing season. The parents watch out for snakes and crocodiles when the children are swimming. Carter

FARMING

Can you imaging the smell of a chocolate tree growing in the rain forest? Also, people from Campana Cocha grow bananas and eat them. Amazingly they also grow yucca, beans, and corn. Also, they raise chickens for meat and eggs.

Aaron

THE DIA CIVIL CELEBRATION

This time of year, near the spring, the people from Campana Cocha celebrate the Dia Civil. I think this celebration is like our Flag Day. On the day of Dia Civil, people have flag ceremonies and parades.

Madison

TRANSPORTATION

Can you imagine rain forest people using trucks and busses? They use them to get to the big cities. They use canoes or walk to get to friends’ houses in their own community.

Kevin

CHRISTMAS

First you should know that people in Campana Cocha do traditional dances for Christmas. They put up manger scenes and decorate a tree with a star on top. It is interesting to know that they also give gifts to each other like we do in the United States.

Joran

ASH WEDNESDAY CARNIVAL

First you should know that the week before Ash Wednesday the people in Compana Cocha have an Ash Wednesday Carnival. Would you believe that they throw water and flour at each other all week long. Can you imagine having to watch out for people throwing water and flour at you?

Cassie

NEW YEAR TRADITION

It is interesting to know what the people in the rain forest do for New Years. Surprising, for New Years they make a dummy. Then they stuff it with newspapers from the old year.

Natalya

NEW YEAR TRADITION

Finally, you might be surprised to learn that at midnight, we light the dummy on fire. People say “Adios” to the old year and “Hola” to the new year!!

SaraMarie

SCHOOL

First you should know that in the General Pintag School, the second graders are learning addition. Next, they are learning how to write their letters, and are learning how to recognize their vowels. You might be surprised to learn that some children don’t wear shoes to school.

Elissa

RAIN FOREST PETS

Surprisingly, dogs and cats live in Campana Cocha. Amazingly people catch birds in the jungle to keep as pets.

Kody

FOOD FROM THE FOREST Can you imagine going

hunting for your food or having to pick your own fruits and veggies. Don’t you think that the people just go down to the village store? Well you are wrong. Most people hunt or grow things to eat, not buy them. One important thing they grow is manioc. It is also called cassava or yucca. It is like our potato.

Paulie

We got our information from:

• www.OneWorldClassrooms.org

• General Pintag Elementary School, Campana Cocha, Napo Province, Equador via e-mail questions sent to Peace Corps Volunteer Sadie Funk