honorable mention
Javier Clemente Martinez spain
title
“Monito ome goronte enamai” (Our territory is not for sale)
In this series of images some of the members of the Waorani community of Awenkaro are portrayed. The Waorani are the last contacted people in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Located in the north center of the Amazon Region of Ecuador (Orellana, Pastaza and Napo provinces), between the Curaray River and the Napo River. Their ancestral lands are threatened by oil exploration and illegal logging practices; also those of other indigenous peoples such as the Shuar, Kichwa or Sápara. The region they inhabit is considered one of the most biodiverse on the planet.
In his worldview there is no distinction between the physical and spiritual world. The jungle is the basis of their physical and cultural survival; the forest is a house, it offers protection. Musical expression is common in the Waorani nationality, the chants tell their experiences, protect them against negative spirits and avoid disasters when nature is upset. They also sing to the forest. Now they hope that their voices will be heard, and their songs can serve so that, in some way, the governments abandon their plans to sell the Amazon.
The territory is vital for the reproduction of life. Nature in its best state of conservation is essential for it. The territory is imprescriptible and inalienable, it is the collective space inherited from the ancestors and reconfigured in the historical struggles of the peoples. It is not just a physical space, but a relational territory, shared with other living beings and entities, with ancestors, with present and future generations.
In Waorani, “Monito ome goronte enamai” (Our territory is not for sale)
He has worked on various projects, collaborating with different organizations in Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa and Latin America.
Part of his work has been recognized in various photography festivals and exhibited in countries such as Spain, UK or Italy.
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entry description
The destruction of the Amazon has reached an unprecedented acceleration in recent years. The largest tropical region on the planet loses huge tracts of jungle each year to the extractive industries.In this series of images some of the members of the Waorani community of Awenkaro are portrayed. The Waorani are the last contacted people in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Located in the north center of the Amazon Region of Ecuador (Orellana, Pastaza and Napo provinces), between the Curaray River and the Napo River. Their ancestral lands are threatened by oil exploration and illegal logging practices; also those of other indigenous peoples such as the Shuar, Kichwa or Sápara. The region they inhabit is considered one of the most biodiverse on the planet.
In his worldview there is no distinction between the physical and spiritual world. The jungle is the basis of their physical and cultural survival; the forest is a house, it offers protection. Musical expression is common in the Waorani nationality, the chants tell their experiences, protect them against negative spirits and avoid disasters when nature is upset. They also sing to the forest. Now they hope that their voices will be heard, and their songs can serve so that, in some way, the governments abandon their plans to sell the Amazon.
The territory is vital for the reproduction of life. Nature in its best state of conservation is essential for it. The territory is imprescriptible and inalienable, it is the collective space inherited from the ancestors and reconfigured in the historical struggles of the peoples. It is not just a physical space, but a relational territory, shared with other living beings and entities, with ancestors, with present and future generations.
In Waorani, “Monito ome goronte enamai” (Our territory is not for sale)
about the photographer
Javier Clemente Martinez is a independent photographer born in Madrid, Spain. His work focuses on social, humanitarian, environmental and cultural issues.He has worked on various projects, collaborating with different organizations in Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa and Latin America.
Part of his work has been recognized in various photography festivals and exhibited in countries such as Spain, UK or Italy.
back to gallery