21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Anaconda and Jaguar | Ghosts of Yasuni

Portrait of Minihua- the Jaguar Deep in the impenetrable jungle of the Ecuadorian Amazon live Huaorani (Waorani) people. The Huaorani are Ecuador's most recently contacted Indigenous group. Huarani are fierce and well-regarded warriors and hunters bearing Anaconda (Ube) tattoos on their upper biceps to honor their Anaconda clan ancestors. As time passes, the older warriors transition from the path of anaconda to that of a jaguar. And when the time comes, the Jaguar returns to the jungle, joining his ancestors and becoming the ghost of the Yasuni.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Bameno Commuity, Ecuador
Copyright: © Aga Szydlik