Waorani Women Take Over the Courtroom with Song
Called to a rushed hearing to argue their historic lawsuit to protect their lands from oil drilling, dozens of Waorani women, carrying palm-woven baskets, clay pots, and food bundles from their gardens, broke into harmonized – and unrelenting – song in the courthouse, effectively blocking the proceedings in protest of unfair and discriminatory treatment by the judge.
The Waorani’s lawsuit against the Ecuadorian Government alleges that their rights to free, prior and informed consultation and to self-determination were violated due to a manipulative consultation process prior to an oil auction. This auction which would offer up the Waorani’s lands in the Pastaza region to the highest bidding oil company, putting their collective territory and the rights of nature in imminent risk. The following photo essay offers a look at the Waorani’s protest at the courthouse.
Waorani gathered before the courthouse before the hearing aimed at immediately detaining the oil auction of their territory to oil companies.
Nemonte Nenquimo, President of the Waorani of Pastaza (CONCONAWEP), is the lead plaintiff in this case along with Waorani elder leaders in representation of 16 communities.
Forced to travel to the city for the hearing, Waorani women could not find the traditional red achiote plant used for face painting, buying makeup at the corner pharmacy before heading to court.
Lawyers from the Ecuadorian government, the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources and the Ministry of the Environment outside the courtroom.
Waorani plaintiffs entering the court. Police initially attempted to prohibit Waorani elders from carrying their spears inside, but they refused to relinquish them.
Waorani women sitting in the courtroom. Moments later, due to unfair and discriminatory treatment by the judge, they rose up in song and did not stop until the hearing was suspended.
Nemonte Nenquimo walking out of the courtroom after the hearing was suspended. In her translation of the women’s song to the judge Nemonte explained, “We do not want war as our ancestors did, we only want to be heard.”.
Nemonte and Waorani elders listen as Amazon Frontlines lawyer Maria Espinosa speaks to the press about the strength of the Waorani’s case and the lack of respect to Waorani culture and customs showed by the Court during the hearing.
Support the Waorani and Sign their Petition
Waorani women continued to sing outside the courthouse after the hearing. The Waorani must now wait for notification of a new hearing and a chance at a fair trial.
Waorani Women Take Over the Courtroom with Song - Called to a rushed hearing to argue their historic lawsuit to protect their lands from oil drilling, dozens of Waorani women, carrying palm-woven baskets, clay pots, and food bundles from their gardens, broke into harmonized – and unrelenting - song in the courthouse, effectively blocking the proceedings in protest of unfair and discriminatory treatment by the judge. The Waorani’s lawsuit against the Ecuadorian Government alleges that their rights to free, prior and informed consultation and to self-determination were violated due to a manipulative consultation process prior to an oil auction. This auction which would offer up the Waorani’s lands in the Pastaza region to the highest bidding oil company, putting their collective territory and the rights of nature in imminent risk. The following photo essay offers a look at the Waorani’s protest at the courthouse.
Waorani gathered before the courthouse before the hearing aimed at immediately detaining the oil auction of their territory to oil companies.
Nemonte Nenquimo, President of the Waorani of Pastaza (CONCONAWEP), is the lead plaintiff in this case along with Waorani elder leaders in representation of 16 communities.
Forced to travel to the city for the hearing, Waorani women could not find the traditional red achiote plant used for face painting, buying makeup at the corner pharmacy before heading to court.
Lawyers from the Ecuadorian government, the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources and the Ministry of the Environment outside the courtroom.
Waorani plaintiffs entering the court. Police initially attempted to prohibit Waorani elders from carrying their spears inside, but they refused to relinquish them.
Waorani women sitting in the courtroom. Moments later, due to unfair and discriminatory treatment by the judge, they rose up in song and did not stop until the hearing was suspended.
Nemonte Nenquimo walking out of the courtroom after the hearing was suspended. In her translation of the women’s song to the judge Nemonte explained, “We do not want war as our ancestors did, we only want to be heard.”.
Nemonte and Waorani elders listen as Amazon Frontlines lawyer Maria Espinosa speaks to the press about the strength of the Waorani’s case and the lack of respect to Waorani culture and customs showed by the Court during the hearing.
Waorani women continued to sing outside the courthouse after the hearing. The Waorani must now wait for notification of a new hearing and a chance at a fair trial.