The courtroom was crowded. Nemonte Nenquimo stood under its harsh lights. Her face was streaked with red paint. She wore a crown of feathers. Three judges sat before her.

Nemonte Nenquimo is a leader of the Waorani nation.

Nemonte Nenquimo raises her fist in a sign of strength at the start of the court hearing.

Nenquimo is a member of the Waorani nation. Her people live in the rainforests of Ecuador. They have lived there for centuries. Now, they had to fight for their culture and their land. The government wanted to sell their land to oil companies. The Waorani filed a lawsuit. The judges would decide what was fair.

A Rainforest Home

The Waorani nation is a group of indigenous people. Their land covers millions of acres of rainforest. Many birds, mammals, and reptiles live here. The Waorani are hunter-gatherers. Their lives are connected to the rainforest. They do not have much contact with the outside world.

Waorani Territory

Amazon
Rainforest

Equator

Atlantic
Ocean

Pacific
Ocean

Ecuador

South
America

South
America

North
America

The Waorani live in the Amazon rainforest.

Yet, the outside world wants something from the Waorani. Oil companies want their land.

The government tried to sell off their land. The Waorani knew they must fight to keep it.

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Waorani people traveling by canoe on a river.

A Leader for Her People

Nemonte Nenquimo was born and raised in the Waorani culture. Her grandfather taught an important lesson. He taught her that their land must always be protected.

This Waorani elder uses a blowpipe and darts for hunting.

Nenquimo’s grandmother taught her, too. Waorani women are the caretakers of the forest. They watch over the plants and animals. They tell the hunters where to hunt and for which animals. Nenquimo learned all of these things.

She helped the elders make a map of their land. It showed special places. It showed where animals live. It showed where fruit trees grow. The map showed their strong relationship to the land. When this land becamed threatened, her people needed a leader. They chose her.

The Waorani mapped the rainforest to show their connection to the land.

Nenquimo speaks to reporters about the court case.

The Waorani filed their lawsuit. They said that the government could not sell their land. It did not have their permission. The Waorani did not know if they would succeed. But, they knew they had to try.

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Waorani women lead the march to the court.

In Court

Hundreds of Waorani people marched through the streets. They wore traditional clothes made of palm leaves. Their faces and arms were covered with paint used for battle.

As they walked to the courthouse, they linked arms. They sang their traditional songs. They wanted people to see their pride in their culture. Nenquimo said she felt like a warrior.

Inside, the Waorani presented their case. They showed the judges the map they had made. They talked about their rainforest home.

The Waorani wanted to protect their land.

Nenquimo stands with Waorani leaders in the courtroom.

The Ruling

At last, it was time to hear the judge’s decision. One judge spoke for a long time. He said the government had not tried to understand the Waorani or their culture. He understood. The Waorani did not want to sell their land. He announced the court’s decision. The Waorani’s land was to be protected. They won!

The room erupted in song and celebration. Nenquimo felt happy and proud of their victory. And their way of life could continue.

Nenquimo and other leaders celebrate their court victory.

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