In the heart of Quito, an indigenous midwife carries with her the ancestral knowledge of her community. 'Wawamama' explores how migration transforms territories and traditions, but cannot erase the memory of those who heal, care and resist in a foreign city. An intimate look at cultural resilience in a changing world.

Wawamama

“Wawamama” is a short documentary film that arises in the context of the pandemic, winner of the fund for the production of short films of the 2022 call of IFCI Ecuador. Directed by Luis Herrera, this project is the result of a deep process of research and accompaniment to various indigenous communities in the San Roque market in Quito. Through the director's eyes, it addresses the situation of indigenous migration to the city, exploring how this phenomenon has transformed community and territorial dynamics.

The short film focuses its narrative on the knowledge of a midwife, who preserves the ancestral knowledge of midwifery and healing. Her story reflects how migration has taken this knowledge beyond the borders of her community of origin, adapting to a new urban context. The territory, as they knew it, is no longer the same, but their craft of healing, caring and sustaining their community persists wherever it is needed.

“Wawamama” not only makes visible the resilience of traditional ancestral medicine, but also invites reflection on identity, migration and cultural adaptation in an ever-changing world. This documentary is a testimony of the resilience of indigenous communities and their ability to keep their knowledge alive in the midst of adversity.

A woman wearing a green sweater and a cap holds a young girl in an indoor setting with brick walls and hanging bags. An older woman wearing a hat and a colorful shawl sits nearby. The scene is dimly lit with smoke or mist in the air.
Mountains with layered ridges and a sky with scattered clouds, viewed from grassy foreground.

Short

A woman preparing fish in a rustic indoor kitchen with brick walls. She is sitting near a blue basin, holding a fish and a rod. There are cats nearby and various cooking pots and utensils hanging on the wall.
A dark night scene of a small, rustic house made of brick with a corrugated metal roof. There is a single lit doorway and a window. Outside, a lamp post illuminates a section of the ground, with a dog sitting near it. Clothes hang on a line, and other structures and trees are visible in the background.

Ficha Técnica / Technical Details

Título en español: Wawamama
Título en inglés: Wawamama

Produccion general / General Production: Esteban Coloma / Cooperativa Audiovisual

Dirección / Directed: Luis Herrera R.
Dirección de Fotografía / Cinematography: Leonardo Salas
Asistencia de Dirección / Assistant Direction: Patricia Yallico
Guión / Screenplay: Patricio Capelo, Luis Herrera R.
Sonido Directo / Direct Sound: Esteban Coloma
Producción de Campo / Field Production: Patricia Yallico
Edición / Editing: Patricio Capelo
Colorización / Color Grading: Edgar León Crespo / Rompecabezas Color
Mezcla de sonido / Sound Mixing: José Salgado / Ruido Ec
Musicalización / Musical Score: Edgar Granda

Genero / Genre: Documental / Documentary
Formato / Format: 4K 16:9
Duración / Runtime: 16:42 minutos / 16:42 minutes

A midwife’s journey from her ancestral roots to the heart of Quito becomes a powerful testament to how indigenous wisdom survives—and thrives—in a displaced, changing world.

This short film was shot in the provinces of Cotopaxi and Pichincha, as part of a project to accompany indigenous migrants from the countryside to the city. It seeks to recognize their work in the urban environment, as well as to value their ancestral culture and their contribution to contemporary society. The production took place during the pandemic, highlighting the realities and challenges of these communities in a critical context.

Three women sitting in a room, wearing colorful traditional clothing and hats, with one woman holding a baby wrapped in a blanket.
An elderly woman and man standing outdoors in front of a stone wall, both wearing hats and warm clothing, smiling at the camera.