SUMMARY
The Huaorani (also Waorani, Wao) are an ethno-linguistic community living in the lowlands in the Amazonian region in Ecuador. They have been characterized by a high degree of self-isolation, and little is known about their history. However, it is reported that they have traditionally been organised into smaller nomadic communities, which have generally tried to avoid contact with other groups, including other indigenous groups as well as whites and mestizos. They have traditionally relied on hunting, gathering and horticulture for subsistence. In 2004, the population was estimated at around 1 700, with the majority living in around thirty settlements near the Yasuní National Park south of the Napo river, while a few small subgroups sought further isolation in remote jungle areas in the Pastaza province.
Like other indigenous groups in the Amazonian region, the Huaorani have been adversely affected by the discovery and extraction of oil, as well as rubber-tapping and illegal logging of precious wood, in this previously unexplored area. Within this context, the group has organised and fought politically to retain ownership of its traditional territory, as well as to protest against the environmental degradation caused by unsafe oil extraction. In 1980, a number of groups in the region formed the CONFENAIE (Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonia Ecuatoriana; Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon), which placed land rights high on its agenda and formed alliances with environmental and human rights groups. In March 1990, a Huaorani organisation, the ONHAE (Organización de las Nacionalidades Huaorani de la Amazonia Ecuadoriana; Organisation of the Huaorani Nation of the Amazonian from Ecuador) was formed to represent Huaorani interests in national politics. Also in 1990, the Huaorani secured the right to an area of 680,000 hectares, the largest indigenous territory in Ecuador, on the condition of non-interference with oil extraction in the area. While tensions between indigenous groups and oil workers and loggers have remained, the main group of Huaoranis reportedly formed a working relationship with oil companies in the region, exchanging their knowledge and services for material benefits and company policies recognizing their interests.
According to analysts, the Huaorani people have had a history of violent resistance to contact with outsiders, and a number of incidents during the latter half of the 20th century saw missionaries, colonists, oil company workers and illegal loggers wounded or killed by Huaorani warriors trying to prevent intrusion into their area. The Huaorani have also reportedly been involved in non-state conflicts with other indigenous groups, and with sub-groups of the Huaorani people. In violent conflict with other groups, Huaorani warriors have traditionally used spears as weapons. In the late 20th and early 21st century, the leader of the main Huaorani group was a man named Babae Ima, living in the small community Tiguino and controlling all entries of non-Huaorani people into the territory.
The Huaorani have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
