In Ecuador, Indigenous youth turn to rap music to defend the Amazon
Willan Gualinga first stepped onto a stage in his home community of Sarayaku, in the Ecuadorian Amazon, in the province of Pastaza. He recalls his hands sweating, his body trembling, and his mouth freezing up as words crowded his mind. Three years after that debut, he performed the same song at the Rizoma 2026 Festival […]
In Ecuador's Amazon region, Indigenous youth are harnessing the power of rap music to advocate for the preservation of their land and culture. Willan Gualinga, a 23-year-old artist known as "Taki Supay," took his first stage appearance at a young age, feeling nervous and overwhelmed by the task at hand. However, three years later, he performed the same song at a much larger gathering in Puyo, Ecuador, where thousands of people joined him in chanting the lyrics of his Kichwa language composition.
The song's title, "Allpamanda kawsay manda jatarishun," translates to "Let us rise up for the land and for life," reflecting the message of resilience and protection for his ancestral territory. Gualinga believes that music allows him to convey his ancestors' wisdom and stand up for his people's rights. He is part of a growing movement of young Amazonian artists, including Misa17 (Misael Elías Criollo Grefa), who utilize rap and lyrical expression to highlight the pressing threats to Indigenous communities and argue for the preservation of the rainforest.
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