- Title: Llama racing a hit for kids high up in Ecuador's Andes
- Date: 9th February 2020
- Summary: LLANGANATES, ECUADOR (FEBRUARY 8, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHILDREN ON LLAMAS IN LLAMA RACE VIEW FROM REIGNS DURING LLAMA RACE CHILD ON LLAMA DURING RACE LLAMA RIDER, DAYANA TOAPANTA, WITH HER LLAMAS TOAPANTA IN HER HOME TOAPANTA CLOSING THE DOOR TO HER HOME TOAPANTA BY HER LLAMAS TOAPANTA'S MOTHER, JEANETH CHACHA, GUIDING LLAMA CHACHA DECORATING LLAMA CHACHA AND LLAMA ON BACK OF PICK-UP TRUCK PICK-UP TRUCK TRANSPORTING LLAMA TO RACE (SOUNDBITE) (Quichua) LLAMA RIDER, DAYANA TOAPANTA, SAYING: "Good morning Mr journalist. My name is Dayana Priscila Toapanta Chacha and I am from the Sacha community." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LLAMA RIDER, DAYANA TOAPANTA, SAYING: "Careful not to walk behind llamas because they kick." VARIOUS OF LLAMA BEING GUIDED AS IT CARRIES MILK VARIOUS OF LOCAL PLAITING LLAMA'S TAIL (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MOTHER OF LLAMA RIDER, JEANETH CHACHA, SAYING: "The hooves of llamas are not like those of cattle. There's something that's like a sponge under them and that helps with the terrain and slopes, the terrain does not affect them that much. That's why we raise them." LOCALS WALKING TOWARD LLAMA RACE CHILDREN ON BACK OF LLAMAS AS LOCALS WALK TOWARD RACE CHILDREN ON LLAMAS LLAMAS, CHILD RIDERS, LOCALS GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OFFICIAL, DIEGO BASTIDAS, SAYING: "Llamas ridden by children go for 400 metres (approximately 1,300 feet). Children from a very young age are able to ride and have this connection with the camelid. Remember that the llama and alpaca are the only camelids that have been domesticated by the Andeans. They are used to transport milk, firewood and other materials that we use on a daily basis." VARIOUS OF CHILDREN RIDING LLAMAS DURING RACE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LLAMA RIDER, DAYANA TOAPANTA, SAYING: "(Llama racing) excited me, in my mind I am thinking about whether I am going to win or lose." CHILDREN NEARING FINISH OF RACE, CHILD LOSES BALANCE ON TOP OF LLAMA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MOTHER OF LLAMA RIDER, JEANETH CHACHA, SAYING: "It brings me joy, win or lose, The important thing is to participate and compete." MEDIA INTERVIEWING TOAPANTA / (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LLAMA RIDER, DAYANA TOAPANTA, SAYING: "I feel good because I won the race this year. Last year I didn't win. I am calling on people to look after the environment and not to burn nature." TOAPANTA ON BACK OF LLAMA CHILDREN ON BACK OF LLAMAS LLAMA'S FACE TOAPANTA AND CHACHA WALKING TOGETHER TOAPANTA IN HER HOME TOWN
- Embargoed: 23rd February 2020 15:33
- Keywords: Ecuador Llanganates children indigenous llamas racing
- Location: LLANGANATES, ECUADOR
- City: LLANGANATES, ECUADOR
- Country: Ecuador
- Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001BZW4PXF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:This isn't the Melbourne Cup and those aren't horses. Here in Ecuador's Andes, llamas are the four-legged athletes of choice and children the jockeys.
While seen as exotic in much of the world, the llama is commonplace in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Their sponge-like hooves are ideal for the difficult terrain and their gentle character and cute faces make them the ideal household pet.
But, speaking to Reuters, 10-year-old Dayana Toapanta warned that llamas do kick.
As per local custom, children are given the responsibility of looking after their llamas, keeping them groomed and fed and making sure they get enough exercise.
For Dayana, the bond with her llama Jaimito goes beyond the family home. Once a year, Dayana and Jaimito dress up for a local racing tradition called the 'llamingada'.
The whole community turns out for the event. Walking alongside the llamas and their child jockeys, hundreds gather together in procession for the event.
Undeterred by heights, children as young as four years of age right up to 12 participate in the race that takes place some 4,000 metres (about 13,000 feet) above sea level.
This year's 'llamingada' winners were Dayana and Jaimito. There is no grand prize for first place in this race, but for Dayana claiming the top spot is a source of pride and a show of her love for Jaimito.
Her winning message to eager spectators, "look after the environment".
(Production: Daniel Tapia, Cristina Munoz, Paul Vieira) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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