Ancestral Health Practices Narratives and Storytelling: Andean Indigenous Ecuadorian Voices.

Through ethnographies, narratives, observation, free conversations and personal stories gathered with indigenous communities in three different Highland provinces, these projects have developed ethnographic lexicons related to the use of medicinal plants, preventive and healing practices. Most of all, it brought into evidence the wisdom of the elders, motivating younger generations to (re)learn about themselves, their ancestors, their history and to foresee their future with eagerness and pride. At the same time, the learned lessons about ancestral medicine turn into an asset to confront COVID-19, especially among the poorest communities. New projects such as seed recovering have been proposed by members of the communities. These projects have also turn into a testimony of how important preserving indigenous languages is in order to maintain not only the communities, but the ecosystem.