Background

The central south of the Ecuadorian amazon is inhabited by seven different indigenous nationalities, including some of the world’s last tribes in voluntary isolation. We indigenous peoples depend on nature, and we survive through small- scale agriculture, gathering, hunting, and fishing and through the solidarity of our people. This is complemented by small family initiatives such as the making and selling of crafts, community tourism, and fish farms to ensure food and economic security. For us, the amazon is life, it is Sumak Allpa-Kawsak Sacha-Sumak Kawsay; the Living Forest. Each mountain, river, and tree has its master or guardian. These are the homes of animals such as the jaguars, anacondas and other animals. These forests possess millenary wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation. However, both the forests and our cultures are threatened by physical and cultural exploitation.