Web exclusive: Women farming in the forest

While protein is obtained from monkeys and peccaries, which the men hunt with spears or blowguns, Waorani woman invest many hours in the gardens cultivating manioc and plantain; the main source of carbohydrate. These consist of small clearings close to the village allowing previously cleared areas of forest to recover.

Perhaps the most popular use of manioc is when the women make chicha, a tasty brew that is both sweet and nutritious. What's amazing to witness is how every meal the Waorani share is the result of remarkable ingenuity, a laborious team effort and an intimate understanding of jungle ecology to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

Katrina Steele - Researcher