This project aims to observe and document the deep connection between the Huarani (Waorani) people and their ancestral home—the Yasuní Reserve in the upper Amazon basin.

The Huaorani are Ecuador's most recently contacted Indigenous group. They were first approached in the late 1950s by U.S. missionaries and oil workers, ultimately leading to ongoing oil exploitation, territorial displacement, and cultural colonization.

The Yasuní Biosphere is one of the areas with the most extraordinary biodiversity per square meter on the planet. 99.73% of the biosphere reserve consists of original natural vegetation.

Yasuní has been undergoing radical change for many years as the exploration of the region's oil reserves threatens many native species and habitats and the lifestyle of the Indigenous Huaorani. The latest referendum halted the development of all new oil wells in the Yasuní, bringing hope to preserving the unique culture of Huaorani and their home.

Aga Szydlik

Aga Szydlik focuses on cultural, documentary, and environmental photography. She is passionate about exploring the world and immersing herself in the cultures she documents. Her passion for photography and travel is shared with her love for science as her projects range from developing novel therapeutics to improving human health to environmental causes. Her photography is focused on understanding and documenting the rich cultural heritage of various tribes and their rituals in the context of the modern and traditional knowledge of cultural evolution.

Aga's professional journey began in Thailand photographing Thai boxing, also known as Muay Thai. Years later, her journey took her to Indonesia and South Africa. Aga has exhibited and published her work internationally. She is continuously captivated by alternative printing processes and large-format analog photography.