Waoraniwomenleadthemarchtothe court.
InCourt
OnApril11,2019,hundredsofWaoranipeoplemarchedthroughthestreetsofPuyotothecourthouse.Theyworetraditionalclothesmadeofpalmleaves.Theirfacesandarmswereadornedwithpaintusedforbattleandspecial occasions.
Astheywalked,theysangtheirtraditionalsongs.Theywantedpeopletoseetheirprideintheirculture.Nenquimowalkedatthefront,herarmslinkedwithotherwomen.Shefeltlikeawarriorthatday,sherememberedlater.Herfacepaint,hercrown,andpaperswereher weapons.
Insidethecourtroom,theWaoraniandtheirlawyerspresentedtheircasetothree judges.
TheirmapswouldhelpthejudgesgrasptheWaorani’sbondtotheirland.Elderswouldgivetestimony.Proofofoilpollutionwouldbe presented.
TheWaoraniwantedtoprotecttheir land.
NenquimostandswithWaoranileadersinthe courtroom.
TheRuling
OnApril26,thejudgeswerereadytoannouncetheirdecision.Nenquimoheldhergrandmother’shandtightly.Thejudgespoke.ThegovernmenthadnottriedtounderstandtheWaoraniandtheirculture.OnemeetingwasnotenoughfortheWaoranitogivetheirfreeconsenttotheauctioningoftheirlands.Thejudgegavetheverdict:Thelandwastobeprotected.TheWaoranihad won.
Nenquimoremembersthattheroomwasfilledwithemotionandmusic.Hergrandmotherbegantosingasongcelebratingtheiroriginsintherainforest.Shesangofahealthyfuturefortheir children.
Outside,theyparadedthroughthestreets.Rainbegantopourdown.FortheWaorani,rainhasalwaysbeenasignofnaturecelebratinga victory.
Therulingcreatedaprecedent.OtherindigenousAmazonianpeoplecouldusethiscaseasanexampleforlawsuitsoftheirown.Itwasagreatvictory,butNenquimo’sworkisnotdone.SheisnowfocusingontheeducationoftheWaorani children.
Nenquimoandotherleaderscelebratetheircourt victory.
Nenquimowantstocreatejobs,soyoungpeoplewillstayontheland.ShewantstoprotectandteachtheWaoranilanguage.Butsheknowsyoungpeoplemustalsolearnthetoolsoftheoutsideworld.Then,theycancarryonthe fight!
