Who is Dolores Cacuango?

Dolores Cacuango (1881-1971), a central figure of this residency and one of the most important indigenous leaders in Ecuador in the 20th century, embodies a symbolic, political, ethical, and intercultural commitment. Her legacy represents the emergence of critical thought and an urgent practice of struggle in the face of contemporary challenges: the regression of rights, persistent social inequalities, the defense of territories, and the mutual protection of nature. As the founder of clandestine schools, she promoted bilingual literacy in Kichwa and Spanish, conceiving education as a strategy for emancipation. Her community, collective, and feminist leadership intertwines word, action, and memory, becoming a force for transformation, resistance, and shared pathways.

The philosophical and poetic dimension of her thought, anchored in the indigenous worldview, proposes an ethics based on unity, historical continuity, and community care. Rescuing her memory and engaging in dialogue with it from an intercultural and feminist perspective constitutes an artistic pedagogy that recognizes and values the importance of rural women and their knowledge. Her life, an heir to the strength of her mothers and grandmothers, is a seed destined to bloom against forgetfulness, inspiring new generations. Mama Dulu organized and empowered indigenous and peasant women, promoting education, political participation, and labor rights. Today, her struggle remains relevant; her principles of social and cultural justice transcend her time and call us to continue her work.

Photographic Residencies at: