VISITS TO LAND WAORANI

Before the 1950’s, the Waorani people were totally unknown to the western world. In 1950, the Waorani (previously written as “Huaorani”) were semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers and river bank dwellers.

The modern history of the Waorani began with the appearance of the oil companies, who invaded our territory to extract all its wealth.

To be a Waorani, a baby had to have a Waorani father.

Long ago Cowudi (people of another race, white or black) who visited our territory were killed with lances, since the Waorani thought they came just to harm and kill our children and use them for food.

The Waorani always worked in a group, including hunting with people who were in their group.

The Waorani territory, even though it was our home for a very long time, was only recognized and legalized by the Ecuadorean government in 1990. The Waorani territory is 790,000 hectars located in the Amazon region of Ecuador, with approximately 2500 inhabitants.

The Waorani were never taught to believe in a God. In 1947, Dayuma, a Waorani girl who managed to escape an inter-tribal slaughter, sought refuge from a mestizo named Carlos Sevilla. She lived with him during her escape, as a servant.

Some missionaries arrived and Dayuma taught them the basics of her language so that they could approach the Waorani. Then the missionaries flew over their houses with loudspeakers, offering them large gifts, in their language. The missionaries were accepted into the Waorani homes to share conversations, and Dayuma returned with her mother Acahua and her uncle Guiquetari. The missionaries translated the Bible into Wao Tededo*.

* Wao Tededo is the language of the Waorani.