Ancestral heritage and external agents: evolution of indigenous land tenure in the Central Coast of Ecuador

Abstract

Several changes have been taking place in indigenous land tenure and uses in the Montañita Community (Santa Elena Province), central coast of Ecuador, since the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. These changes have resulted in a shift from community management of agriculture and livestock activities to a fragmented approach focused on an array of tourism services. This article seeks to identify key factors influencing shifts in indigenous land tenure using GIS maps for the period between 1 937 and 2009. The findings suggest that this process has been influenced by the Ecuadorian state and private investors, with dramatic impacts both on the environment and on ancestral cultural patterns.