La Pequenita of the Indios

by Zsolt Aradi

Among the many Ecuadoran shrines dedicated to Mary, the shrine of Nuestra Senora del Quinche is of primary interest to the majority of the native Indians. They come from the most distant places from all over the Sierras. Unlike the case of Our Lady of Copacabana of Bolivia, who is always kept within her shrine, Nuestra Senora del Quinche is carried in processions on important occasions through the land when special celebrations are held in her honor in churches of villages and towns alike, including the capital of Ecuador, Quito.

Our Lady of Quinche is almost entirely "a people's Madonna," a protector of the Indians.

Her origin dates back to 1586 when the Indians of Lumbici asked a Spanish sculptor, Diego de Robles, to carve them an image out of native cedar, and told him that it should be similar to the one he had created for "Gualpo" (Gualpo is the Indian corruption of the name Guadelupe). The sculptor had many irritations and obstacles; tradition relates that he and the image, while he worked on it, were several times miraculously saved. Finally, the statue was installed in the district of El Quinche, an isolated spot, close to the Andes. Very soon a chapel was built and later, in modern times, a new and larger church.

Visitors to Nuestra Senora del Quinche are captivated by the unique features of this image. It has an indefinable personal appeal very similar in appearance to the Andean-Indian people.

The other Ecuadoran Madonnas are more of the stylized patroness type, austere or elegant in expression. But the Indians speak about the Lady of Quinche as if she were one of the people. When they discuss the various processions they are apt to say: "La pequenita (the Little One) will sleep in Calderon tonight." Or, "the Little One is resting from the heat and fatigue of the journey before she is dressed for the ceremonies in San Domingo." Everybody who visits her, who comes to pray before her, wishes to participate in the most personal manner in the service. The pilgrims buy pieces of cotton on little sticks, sold outside the churches; then the altar boy brushes the blue velvet traveling cloak of the Madonna, which is on the rack in the sanctuary. The stick with the cotton is returned to its owner who cherishes it. The virgin of Quinche is credited with many miracles and the Indians ask varied favors through her intercession. But their relations toward her are of an extraordinary intimacy. We have seen many instances of people asking Mary for protection. The Indians of Quinche are no exception, but they in turn display a rare sensitivity of emotion. High in the Andes Mountains, these Indians offer their protection to "the Little One" who is their "delicate beloved."

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