Indigenous historiography and tradition of struggle

Abstract

This article explores indigenous historiography and the tradition of struggle in Ecuador, highlighting the indigenous perspective on memory and resistance. Starting from Ernesto Cardenal's reflection on the indigenous perception of knowledge, it analyzes how historical evolution is determined by changes in the organization and relations of work, considered as the true engine of History. It emphasizes the collective nature of control over the means of production in indigenous societies and its transformation during Spanish colonization. The transition from communal forms of production to a state social regime and then to its incorporation into the colonial system is a complex process, reflected in the subordination of social work to an indigenous dominant class. The study underlines the importance of understanding these historical dynamics to appreciate the continuity of resistance and cultural identity in the precolonial and colonial history of aboriginal societies in Ecuador.