Image
Source
Bravo, Andrea. 2020. “Waorani Notion of Living Well and Its Contemporary Challenges along Oil Roads.” Doctoral thesis dissertation, University College London.
Language
English
English
Hunter-gatherers Waorani people have settled in villages along oil roads for at least 30 years. During these years, they have developed conceptualizations about the bodily effects of the road; they highlight the heat, noise and bad smell along oil roads. Waorani people contrast these sensorial experiences with their relationship with the forest, from which they point out the fresh foliage, fresh smells and “silence”. Waorani Waponi Kewemonipa (living well) notion is related to these ecological experiences, as opposed to road pollution.
Younger generations who grow up along oil roads, like the boy in this picture, are developing an environmental discourse to highlight toxic sensorial experiences along oil roads.