INDIGENOUS ECUADORIAN SHAMAN BLOWS ON INCENSE BURNER AT ALTERNATIVE PARLIAMENT, 2000-01-18 (photo)

An Ecuadorian shaman blows on the embers of burning incense on a stage at the headquarters of the alternative indigenous parliament where indigenous peoples from all over Ecuador are arriving to take part in protests against the government January 18. Ecuador's indigenous peoples have been gathered by their leaders to descend on Quito to protests against the economic crisis which has beset their country. Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad changed his country's economy to be based on the U.S. dollar in an attempt to control galloping inflation just over a week ago. This drastic measure has met with a mixed response, but has split his opposition and calmed protests which threatened to overthrow him. The indigenous protests are Mahuad's last obstacle. AW