Ecuador - A Shrunken Head, Tzantza

Tzantza (Shrunken Head)

Cabeza reducida
Shrunken head

Foto: Bodo Wuth

This postcard was postmarked in 2015 from Ecuador.

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If you have a weak stomach... do not read any more...

A shrunken head is a severed and specially prepared human head that is used for trophy, ritual, or trade purposes.

The only tribes known to have shrunken human heads are of the Jivaroan tribes. These include the Shuar, Achuar, Huambisa and Aguaruna tribes, found in Ecuador and Peru. The Shuar call a shrunken head a tsantsa, or tzantza. Many tribe leaders would show off their heads to scare enemies

How it is Done:
The process of creating a shrunken head begins with removing the skull from the neck. An incision is made on the back of the ear and all the skin and flesh is removed from the cranium. Seeds are placed underneath the nostrils and the lips are sewn shut. The mouth is held together with three palm pins. Fat from the flesh of the head is removed. Then a wooden ball is placed under the flesh in order to keep the form. The flesh is then boiled in water that has been saturated with a number of herbs containing tannins. The head is then dried with hot rocks and sand, while molding it to retain its human features. The skin is then rubbed down with charcoal ash. Decorative beads may be added to the head.

In the head shrinking tradition, it is believed that coating the skin in ash keeps the muisak, or avenging soul, from seeping out.

South America - Map

Map of South America

South American countries and their capitals cities

Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Bolivia (La Paz / Sucre)
Brazil (Brasilia)
Chile (Santiago)
Colombia (Bogota)
Ecuador (Quito)
French Guiana (Cayenne ) France
Guyana (Georgetown)
Paraguay (Asuncion)
Peru (Lima)
Suriname (Paramaribo)
Uruguay (Montevideo)
Venezuela (Caracas)

This postcard is from 2012. 

Ecuador - Galapagos Island Map with Animals

Galapagos Islands
Ecuador

Wolf, Marchena, Genovesa, Santiago, Bartolome, Ragida, Fernandina, Isabela, Pinzon, Baltra, Santa Fe, Sta. Maria (Floreana) and Espanola
2015

Eduador - Otavalo, Hiladora, Yarn Spinning Machine

Ecuador
Otavalo - Hiladora

Foto: Bodo Wuth
2015

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Otavalo, capital of Otavalo Canton, is a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador. The town is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura (4,630 metres (15,190 ft)), Cotacachi (4,995 metres (16,388 ft)), and Mojanda volcanoes.

 The Hiladora is also known as the spinning jenny.  It is a multi-spindle spinning frame invented in 1764 by James Hargreaves to produce yarn.

Ecuador - Quito, Mitad del Mundo

Ecuador
Mitad del Mundo

Foto Estudio Bodo Wuth / Esabel de Wuth
2015

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The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Spanish: City in the Middle of the World) is a tract of land owned by the prefecture of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador.

The building shown is The Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location.

Ecuador - Pululahua

Ecuador
Pululahua

Foto: Isabel de Wuth
2015

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Pululagua (alternate spelling: Pululahua) is a dormant volcano that is located in Ecuador's national park known as Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua.

Ecuador - Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi Volcano

Cotopaxi 5.897 m

Refugio Jose F. Rivas 4800 m

Foto Estudio Bodo Wuth / Esabel de Wuth
2015

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Cotopaxi is an active volcano in the Andes Mountains, located northeast of the city of Latacunga, Ecuador, in South America.  It is the second highest summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft). It is one of the world's highest volcanoes.

Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times. The last eruption lasted from August 2015 to January 2016.

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In the late 20th century, summiting Cotopaxi became a major tourist draw. The José F. Ribas Refuge (Refugio José Félix Ribas) was built in 1971 at an elevation of 4800 m and enlarged in 2005. A tragedy occurred here on Easter Sunday 1996 when an avalanche partially buried the Refuge and dozens of tourists.

Ecuador - Post Office in The Galapagos

Correo de Pto. Villamil
Isabela - Galapagos - Ecuador

The sender writes:
I just loved this tiny post office and they actually had some stamps too.  :D
2015

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Puerto Villamil is a small port village located on the southeastern edge of Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands. The harbor is frequently full with sailboats, as Villamil is a popular stop for private yachts making their way to the Marquesas Islands because Villamil is the westernmost town in the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador - Quito, The Old City

Ecuador - Quito

View of the Old City beneath Panecillo.
2009

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Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,800 meters above sea level), it is the highest official capital city in the world.

Quito, along with Kraków, were the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.

Ecuador - Modern Hotel Intercontinental Quito

Quito Ecuador S.A.
Vista del moderno hotel Intercontinental Quito
Altitud 9.500 pies.

View of the modern Hotel Intercontinental Quito
"Jewel of the Andes" located at Quito Ecuador, S.A.
(altitude 9,500 feet)
1970

Ecuador - Calle Pedro Carbo

Calle Pedro Carbo: Guayaquil. -
Por esta calle transitan los forjadores de la ciudad de Guayaquil, verdader simbolo de la economia del pais.  Su nombre nos recuerda a uno de los grandes hijos que ha tenido el Ecuador.

This translates something like:
Street Pedro Carbo: Guayaquil. -
This street passing the framers of the city of Guayaquil, genuine natural symbol of the country's economy. His name reminds us of one of the great sons who had the Ecuador.
1970

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Guayaquil, officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as that nation's main port.

Legend tells that the city was named after an Indigenous Chief, "Guayas", and his wife, "Quil". Both of them chose to die before surrendering themselves to the Spaniards.

Ecuador - Palacio Municipal, Guayaquil

Ecuador - Palacio Municipal, Guayaquil
(Guayaquil City Hall)

This is a real photo postcard.

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El Palacio Municipal  holds the political offices of city and provincial officials. A building of the neoclassical style, it is considered one of the most important architectural works in the country. 

Ecuador - Sea Turtle from the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands

Chelonia mydas
Tortuga marina
Sea-turtle
Meeresschildrote
tortue de mer
Aoumigame

They are wild animals! Treat, them with respect and be careful!

Jaime Dominguez Rodas, Photographer
2014 

Ecuador - Quito

Quito - Ecuador
Calle de la Ronda.  Tipico estilo espanol.  (Round Street. Typical Spanish style._
Es una reliquia de la colonia.  (It is a relic of the colony.)