The Nizag Section of the Kapak Ñan

El Nariz del Diablo

The Andean Road Network

Kapak Ñan translates from Kichwa to mean “royal path” or “great road.” It refers to the Andean Road System constructed by the Inka Empire. The entirety of the system contains nearly 30,000 kilometers of road stretching from Colombia to Chile and Argentina. For the Inka, it was extremely important for connecting cultural and economic centers throughout the extensive empire. The expansive Inka Empire reached its territorial height in 1530, with the Andean Road System greatly contributing to its economic and military strength.

Following a lengthy nomination process beginning in the early 2000's, Kapak Ñan was granted status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This helps with restoration efforts for many archaeological sites, as much of the road system is susceptible to damage from tourism, natural disasters, and vegetation growth.

UNESCO map including the entirety of the Andean Road System and its World Heritage Sites.

History of the Kapak Ñan in Ecuador

Of the 693 kilometers of the Kapak Ñan that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site, Ecuador is home to 109 kilometers. Additionally, Ecuador has 49 of the 308 archaeological sites declared by UNESCO. 

"Ecuadorians are rare and unique beings: they sleep peacefully in the middle of roaring volcanoes, they live poor in the middle of incomparable riches and rejoice with sad music."

Alexander von Humboldt

This section of the Kapak Ñan was used by Alexander von Humboldt during his journeys through the region. Humboldt, a German explorer, traveled through Ecuador from 1799 to 1804. Along the way, Humboldt climbed many of the region's volcanoes, including Chimborazo. He traveled to Guayaquil via the Andean Road System from Chimborazo. Humboldt documented thousands of species of plants, discovered the Humboldt Current along the Pacific Coast, and recorded data about elevation's impacts on climate and plant life. His work earned him the title "Father of Ecology."

The Community of Nizag

Nizag is a Kichwa community of roughly 2,000 people located in the Aluasí canton of the Province of Chimborazo. The people of Nizag have a strong cultural heritage that has been passed down for generations. Their strong cultural heritage, as well as the natural attractions of the region, attracted many tourists through the Transandean Railroad (Ferrocarril Transandino del Ecuador). This national railroad was popular among tourists, bringing them through Aluasí to visit La Nariz del Diablo. Visitors could see the nearby community of Nizag, their rich culture, and pieces of the Kapak Ñan. The women of Nizag continued a long tradition of using cabuya fibers to create fabrics and other products, but with a new emphasis on selling them to tourists.

Unfortunately, the state-owned railroad company closed in 2020 due to an economic crisis. As before the introduction of the railroad, the people of Nizag continued to rely on their long cultural heritage and knowledge of the land. Vital to this cultural heritage is the use of the flora of the region in every aspect of life. This ethnobotanical knowledge—knowledge of the relationships between plants and humans—is still widely used today in Nizag. Much of the community’s ethnobotanical knowledge has been passed down since the Incas, with the Kapak Ñan greatly influencing the region’s many uses of the flora. 

Sections of the Kapak Ñan near Nizag, Ecuador

Ethnobotanical Knowledge

These sections of the Kapak Ñan are still in use by the communities today. Its presence has helped shape the culture and knowledge of the people in the region. Historically, it was crucial for the exchange of economic goods, culture, and knowledge, and it continues to be a vital part of the community today.

Department of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, ESPOCH Neotropical Montology Collaboratory, Department of Geography, University of Georgia, UGA

Carlos Renato Chávez Velásquez

Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador; renato.chavez@espoch.edu.ec.

Alba Maritza Sinaluisa Pilco

QHAPAQ ÑAN: Research Project, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Ecuador & Investigation Institute, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador; alba.sinaluisa@espoch.edu.ec

Luis Felipe Lema Palaquibay

External researcher, felipe_199326@hotmail.com.

Paola Alexandra Velasteguí Arévalo

External researcher, paitova1984@gmail.com

Juan Enrique Ureña Moreno

Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador; juan.urena@espoch.edu.ec

Alden M. Yépez Noboa

Archaeology Program, Faculty of Human Sciences. Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito. 170525, Ecuador; amyepez@puce.edu.ec

James Brandon Latimer

Department of Geography, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; james.latimer@uga.edu

Fausto O. Sarmiento

Neotropical Montology Collaboratory, Department of Geography, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; fsarmien@uga.edu

UNESCO map including the entirety of the Andean Road System and its World Heritage Sites.