Uchuculin

In the past, there was the name of only one community was heard in these regions; that of Pano. In the 1930’s, our grandfathers and grandmothers agreed to reside in the Western sector of this community. Señor Francisco Shiguango, nicknamed “Tiatia,” along with his wife Francisca Andi, who were descendants of the region of Rucullacta, settled here because of the existence of good fishing and hunting.

Their descendants were Señor Bartola Shiguango, nicknamed “Lugru,” and his wife Mercedes Caladucha, who had eight children: four men and four women. Among the survivors were Angelina, Carmela, Clara, Venancio, and Camilo. Elvira, Roberto, and Bartolo, however, did not survive. They had the idea to form a community made up of family, since the Catholic mission, headed by Brother Salvador, took over the available uncultivated lands of the Lupi, Tena, Pumayacu, Pano, Talag, and other regions. In the year 1967, with support from the IERAC, and from Peace Corps volunteers from the United States, the family came to obtain these lands as their ancestral possession, to be held communally, and turned into individual plots. During this development, Señor Shiguango, also known as “Lugru,” was an exemplary leader for his children. Unfortunately, he died and left them orphaned in the year of 1988. In a family meeting, his children decided to name the community for the memory of their father who had worked so hard, and the community was named San Bartolo de Uchuculin. The name of Uchuculin was given by our wise grandparents and means “aji” (chili) of the river. In memory of the creation of this community there have been three anniversary celebrations organized with the support of all the children and descendants of the Uchuculin family.

For many years the authorities of the province did not support this community, in spite of many attempts to secure aid. Recently, during the administration of Dr. Hector Sinchiguano, a classroom workshop was built in order to have community meetings. At present, the community of San Bartolo of Uchuculin, with the help of Señora Gina Sanmiguel, has received support in opening a new road, and in the leveling of a soccer field. Also, in the administration of Señor Mayor Washington Varela, support has been received for the topographical change of the community. From the head of the Uchucukin River a pipe has been built to capture and carry the water to the whole population of the community. Without the support of institutions, but through the effort of all the inhabitants, we have also initiated a fish farming project that has served only for family consumption.

The rainforest here is ancient primary forest, and we seek to protect it through the volunteer and eco-tourism project, although at this point we rarely see international tourists visiting. In memorial of our grandfathers and grandmothers, their children, and all descendants of the family, we have decided to organize our community to further this aim of protecting our ancestral lands.