Born: 1881 (San Pablo Urco on the Pesillo Hacienda near Cayambe, Ecuador)
Died: 1971
Biography:
Dolores Cacuango, also known as Mamá Doloreyuk, was a pioneering figure in the fight for indigenous and farmers’ rights in Ecuador. Born on October 26, 1881, in San Pablo Urco on the Pesillo Hacienda near Cayambe, Ecuador, Dolores’s parents were indigenous peones concierto who worked on the hacienda without receiving any payment.
Growing up in a low-income family, Dolores faced limited access to education due to financial constraints. At the age of fifteen, she began working as a domestic servant for the hacienda owner, where she witnessed the stark contrast in living conditions between the landlords and the peons. This experience instilled in her a desire to improve indigenous education and fight for the rights of marginalized communities.
Despite never learning how to read or write, Dolores managed to learn Spanish while working as a housemaid in Quito at a young age. One of her political influences was Juan Albamocho, an indigenous man who disguised himself as a beggar and eavesdropped on discussions at a lawyer’s office. Albamocho informed his people in Cayambe about a law that could protect indigenous rights, leading to the community’s increased awareness and advocacy for their rights.
In 1927, Dolores married Luis Catucuamba and settled in Yanahuayco, near Cayambe. They worked the land and had nine children, but tragically, eight of their children died at a young age due to bowel disease caused by the lack of hygiene and sanitation in the area. Their only surviving child, Luis Catucuamba, went on to become an indigenous teacher in his homeland in 1946.
Dolores’s activism began in 1930 when she played a key role in the historic workers’ strike at the Pesillo hacienda in Cayambe. This strike marked a significant moment in the fight for indigenous and peasant rights and was later portrayed in Jorge Icaza’s novel Huasipungo in 1934.
In May 1944, during the revolutionary period in Ecuador, Dolores personally led an assault on a government military base, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the struggle for social and economic justice. Inspired by her activism, Dolores, along with fellow activist Tránsito Amaguaña, founded the Indigenous Federation of Ecuador (FEI) in 1944 with the support of the Ecuadorian Communist Party. The FEI became one of the primary organizations advocating for indigenous rights, demanding equality and fighting for social change.
Dolores Cacuango continued to be a fierce advocate for indigenous and farmers’ rights until her death on April 23, 1971. In her final years, she faced numerous health challenges, including becoming paraplegic and losing the ability to visit communities and engage in organizational activities. However, she found strength and solace in the company of her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and her inseparable friend, María Luisa.
Dolores Cacuango’s significant contributions to the struggle for indigenous and farmers’ rights in Ecuador have left an indelible mark on history. Her determination to fight for social justice, her commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities, and her role as one of Ecuador’s first feminist activists make her an inspirational figure in women’s history.