The CAYAPA or CAYAPAS Word is a Word incorrectly pronounced by the Spaniards to the words KARI APA or APA KAYI. Any of these two words, in Spanish, literally means " Pope minor 34. But, basically refers to his sons ( males. When the Chachi expresses " APA-34 KAA; ( contraction of KARI APA or APA 41 KARI; He's saying " mijito, sweetie, Daddy, 34 etc;. As it has always happened with the Spaniards, constantly hearing these words KAA-APA, it is better for them to dub " CAYAPA " or " CAYAPAS ". The CAYAPA Word does not exist in the language chachi.
The cayapas or Chachi are an indigenous ethnic group that lives in the jungle region of the Northwest of Esmeraldas on the North coast of Ecuador. The cayapas belong to the barbacoana family, while cayapa is the traditional name of the language that the people have spoken. This town is also known as chachi, who speak the language cha ' palaa or cha ' Cayapa.The cayapas, together with los tsáchilas ( that apparently are related ) and the eperas, are the three only Amerindian pre-Hispanic groups that have survived in the Ecuadorian coastal area, while the waiting are originating in Colombia and arrived in Ecuador in recent times.
