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We Will Not Be Saved
'Nemonte's writing is as provocative as it is inspiring' EMMA THOMPSON
'One of the most effective leaders for indigenous rights and environmental justice' LAURENE POWELL JOBS
'I'm here to tell you my story, which is also the story of my people and the story of this forest.'
Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, Nemonte Nenquimo was taught about plant medicines, foraging, oral storytelling, and shamanism by her elders. Age 14, she left the forest for the first time to study with an evangelical missionary group in the city. Eventually, her ancestors began appearing in her dreams, pleading with her to return and embrace her own culture.
She listened.
Two decades later, Nemonte has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in climate-change activism. She has spearheaded the alliance of indigenous nations across the Upper Amazon and led her people to a landmark victory against Big Oil, protecting over a half million acres of primary rainforest. Her message is as sharp as the spears that her ancestors wielded - honed by her experiences battling loggers, miners, oil companies and missionaries.
In this astonishing memoir, she partners with her husband Mitch Anderson, founder of Amazon Frontlines, digging into generations of oral history, uprooting centuries of conquest, hacking away at racist notions of Indigenous peoples, and ultimately revealing a life story as rich, harsh and vital as the Amazon rainforest herself.
More praise for We Will Not Be Saved:
'A radical manifesto for our times' VANESSA KIRBY
'An act of storytelling generosity' NATHALIE KELLY
'Inspiring, moving and unforgettable' ROWAN HOOPER
'Truly Inspiring and humbling' CAROLINE SANDERSON
'One of the most effective leaders for indigenous rights and environmental justice' LAURENE POWELL JOBS
'I'm here to tell you my story, which is also the story of my people and the story of this forest.'
Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, Nemonte Nenquimo was taught about plant medicines, foraging, oral storytelling, and shamanism by her elders. Age 14, she left the forest for the first time to study with an evangelical missionary group in the city. Eventually, her ancestors began appearing in her dreams, pleading with her to return and embrace her own culture.
She listened.
Two decades later, Nemonte has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in climate-change activism. She has spearheaded the alliance of indigenous nations across the Upper Amazon and led her people to a landmark victory against Big Oil, protecting over a half million acres of primary rainforest. Her message is as sharp as the spears that her ancestors wielded - honed by her experiences battling loggers, miners, oil companies and missionaries.
In this astonishing memoir, she partners with her husband Mitch Anderson, founder of Amazon Frontlines, digging into generations of oral history, uprooting centuries of conquest, hacking away at racist notions of Indigenous peoples, and ultimately revealing a life story as rich, harsh and vital as the Amazon rainforest herself.
More praise for We Will Not Be Saved:
'A radical manifesto for our times' VANESSA KIRBY
'An act of storytelling generosity' NATHALIE KELLY
'Inspiring, moving and unforgettable' ROWAN HOOPER
'Truly Inspiring and humbling' CAROLINE SANDERSON
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
1118 people are currently reading
32281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,050 reviews
January 2, 2025
A disturbing memoir of colonization as late as the 1950’s deep in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. Told by Nemonte Nenquimo, this is her experience as part of the Waorani tribe. How the white missionaries came in with Big bad Texaco to decimate the indigenous land by displacing tribes, poisoning rivers, introducing alcohol.
White people doing white people greed under the guise of religion.
Nemonte, 12, was under the trance of the white missionaries. She followed them despite the warnings of her family; her people; even her dreams. Somehow, her own religion- that of the forest- beckoned to her to remind her of who she was and turning her trauma into becoming an environmental advocate for her ancestral lands.
An important story but my mind did begin to wander. The writing I found to be flat. It could be a me thing?! 🤷♀️
3.5⭐️
White people doing white people greed under the guise of religion.
Nemonte, 12, was under the trance of the white missionaries. She followed them despite the warnings of her family; her people; even her dreams. Somehow, her own religion- that of the forest- beckoned to her to remind her of who she was and turning her trauma into becoming an environmental advocate for her ancestral lands.
An important story but my mind did begin to wander. The writing I found to be flat. It could be a me thing?! 🤷♀️
3.5⭐️
January 1, 2025
In We Will Be Jaguars, Nemonte Nenquimo tells her own story and the story of her indigenous people, the Waorani tribe of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The Waorani’s shamanic culture — with its deep connection to and love for the plants, animals, and rivers of the forest — clashes first with the Christian missionaries who come to “save the savages," and then with the big mining and oil companies that have polluted and destroyed much of their rainforest.
A renowned environmental activist, Nenquimo helped lead a court case to protect more than 500,000 million acres of Waorani territory that the Ecuadorian government was attempting to auction off to oil companies.
Fascinating, devastating, and inspiring, this love story about and to the land and her people is both a gift and a call to action. Highly recommend.
January 23, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an audio ARC which was read clearly by Christina Ann-Roche. She had a good voice and, despite some very emotional narrative, did not over-dramatise. This book will be released in the UK under the title "We Will Not Be Saved".
I very nearly stopped reading this quite early on. Very glad I didn't but the sexual abuse is extremely hard to listen to. My heart goes out to the girl that Nemonte Nenquimo was that she had to endure that.
The memoir follows Nemonte from her time as a child in the Ecuadorian rainforest where she comes into contact with the missionary, Rachel Saint. Nemonte sees the white girl relatives of Rachel and is envious. She wants the clothes they have, their straight teeth, their way of life. She is a child and which of us hasn't coveted what others have. To this end she gets baptised and goes with the missionaries to learn from them.
However while there she learns about the abuse from other girls before being subjected to it herself. She loses her faith and finds new friends who give her the impetus to find out more about how to help her tribe and home lands. She also meets Mitch, an American activist.
This book is exceptionally powerful. It made me so angry at times that we have all had a hand in destroying these peoples' homes and poisoned their land. There are lots of useful websites given at the end of the book for anyone interested in getting more involved.
Nemonte Nenquimo is an inspirational woman with a powerful message that should be spread as far as possible. I feel passionately that we, as so-called civilised people, need to learn to tread more lightly upon this earth.
Excellent book. Highly recommended.
I very nearly stopped reading this quite early on. Very glad I didn't but the sexual abuse is extremely hard to listen to. My heart goes out to the girl that Nemonte Nenquimo was that she had to endure that.
The memoir follows Nemonte from her time as a child in the Ecuadorian rainforest where she comes into contact with the missionary, Rachel Saint. Nemonte sees the white girl relatives of Rachel and is envious. She wants the clothes they have, their straight teeth, their way of life. She is a child and which of us hasn't coveted what others have. To this end she gets baptised and goes with the missionaries to learn from them.
However while there she learns about the abuse from other girls before being subjected to it herself. She loses her faith and finds new friends who give her the impetus to find out more about how to help her tribe and home lands. She also meets Mitch, an American activist.
This book is exceptionally powerful. It made me so angry at times that we have all had a hand in destroying these peoples' homes and poisoned their land. There are lots of useful websites given at the end of the book for anyone interested in getting more involved.
Nemonte Nenquimo is an inspirational woman with a powerful message that should be spread as far as possible. I feel passionately that we, as so-called civilised people, need to learn to tread more lightly upon this earth.
Excellent book. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2024
This book... Made me cry, made me be angry and understand more. It is a story that deserves respect, to be heard and lived. Everyone should read it.
Thank you Nemonte for saying the story, your story.
Thank you Nemonte for saying the story, your story.
December 2, 2024
"The white people destroy the forest because they don't know the forest. It is easy to destroy something that you know nothing about."
I want to start this review by launching a complaint. Not about this book, but about all of you, my fellow readers. I make it a mission to read every Reese's Book Club pick, and I know other people do too. So it never occurred to me to skip this one. However, it appears a lot of you have. It has only 1,000 ratings. I have yet to find it on sale in any bookstore, and I've checked numerous. Don't tell me it's because it's a memoir. The last memoir Reese picked, Tiny Beautiful Things, has over 130,000 ratings.
We should all be embarrassed we've overlooked this book.
Especially because it's really, really good. Nemonte Nenquimo's people, the Waorani, have lived in the Amazon longer than time itself can measure. They know these lands. But they didn't know that the depths of the land had the potential to ruin everything - one oil well at a time.
Because of the remote nature of the Amazon, the Waorani remained uncontacted and were therefore able to preserve their traditions for much longer than most indigenous peoples. This allows Nenquimo to tell the story of her people first-hand, because so much was still present into her generation. The story is told in two parts - Nemonte's childhood, when she wants to escape the forest for the "better" land of the missionaries. Then in part two, she is completely disillusioned with "civilization" and wants to find her way back and protect her people form the oil companies creeping closer. The bridge between these two parts was rough, which is why I gave this a four instead of a five. A lot of Nemonte's life was missing that I think could have helped the story. But, I get what they were trying to show and understand the decision to divide her story in this way.
I think what makes this book stand out is Nenquimo's understanding of the need to straddle worlds. Ultimately, she wants her people to keep their ancestral land. But to achieve that, some of them need to become lawyers. They need to map their lands and purchase drones. They need solar panels and drinking water. What makes her mission different from those who came before is she doesn't want white people to do it for them. She wants her own people to learn how to do it themselves. The title of this book outside of the US is "We Will Not Be Saved" and I find this title to be so fitting. When things got tough, and they did often, I regularly found myself having to check how I would fix the problem at the door and truly listen to Nenquimo explain herself. And it was so moving. It took me so long to finish this book because of the mental bandwidth required, which isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's beautiful.
I want to start this review by launching a complaint. Not about this book, but about all of you, my fellow readers. I make it a mission to read every Reese's Book Club pick, and I know other people do too. So it never occurred to me to skip this one. However, it appears a lot of you have. It has only 1,000 ratings. I have yet to find it on sale in any bookstore, and I've checked numerous. Don't tell me it's because it's a memoir. The last memoir Reese picked, Tiny Beautiful Things, has over 130,000 ratings.
We should all be embarrassed we've overlooked this book.
Especially because it's really, really good. Nemonte Nenquimo's people, the Waorani, have lived in the Amazon longer than time itself can measure. They know these lands. But they didn't know that the depths of the land had the potential to ruin everything - one oil well at a time.
Because of the remote nature of the Amazon, the Waorani remained uncontacted and were therefore able to preserve their traditions for much longer than most indigenous peoples. This allows Nenquimo to tell the story of her people first-hand, because so much was still present into her generation. The story is told in two parts - Nemonte's childhood, when she wants to escape the forest for the "better" land of the missionaries. Then in part two, she is completely disillusioned with "civilization" and wants to find her way back and protect her people form the oil companies creeping closer. The bridge between these two parts was rough, which is why I gave this a four instead of a five. A lot of Nemonte's life was missing that I think could have helped the story. But, I get what they were trying to show and understand the decision to divide her story in this way.
I think what makes this book stand out is Nenquimo's understanding of the need to straddle worlds. Ultimately, she wants her people to keep their ancestral land. But to achieve that, some of them need to become lawyers. They need to map their lands and purchase drones. They need solar panels and drinking water. What makes her mission different from those who came before is she doesn't want white people to do it for them. She wants her own people to learn how to do it themselves. The title of this book outside of the US is "We Will Not Be Saved" and I find this title to be so fitting. When things got tough, and they did often, I regularly found myself having to check how I would fix the problem at the door and truly listen to Nenquimo explain herself. And it was so moving. It took me so long to finish this book because of the mental bandwidth required, which isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's beautiful.
January 4, 2025
No hate like Christian love
June 17, 2024
Everyone should read this book. It's really important. The more uncomfortable it makes you, the more important it is that you read it.
September 18, 2024
One of the most important books I’ve ever read detailing the lost connection between humans and nature, the direct impact of which is causing so much destruction in the world, nearing the point of no return. Nemonte’s story, told from deep within the Amazon, is shocking, insightful, spiritual, and gives hope while giving a fascinating look into this little known corner of the Ecuadorean rainforest. I will read this book again and again and implore everyone to read it.
May 5, 2025
If you, like me, grew up reading and hearing about the Christian missionaries to Ecuador (Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, et al.) who were martyred by the people they came to convert, you need to read this book.
Nemonte Nenquimo is a member of that same tribe those men were attempting to contact. After their deaths, Rachel Saint, sister to Nate Saint, went to live among the Waorani people. The story I was told was of her brave sacrifice and astounding forgiveness, to live among and preach the Gospel to the very people who killed her brother. For good measure, she also did her very best to strip the people of their culture, their stories, and their history. She shamed and belittled them, called them savages in her writing and to their faces, and lied to them when she tricked them into giving their land away to oil companies. Those oil companies then pillaged the land and poisoned their water supply, leading to the deaths of children whose parents were told the water was fine. Angry yet? We all should be. We were sold half truths and happy missionary stories, and Nemonte's people and beloved homeland paid the price.
We need to be honest about the harm that's been done in the name of Jesus. Rachel Saint and other missionaries who came after her were colonizers, and the damage they did was widespread. In some ways, many of us are complicit, including myself. The least we can do is acknowledge the pain and damage that's been caused. Reading Nemonte's story is one small way to bear witness.
Nemonte Nenquimo is a member of that same tribe those men were attempting to contact. After their deaths, Rachel Saint, sister to Nate Saint, went to live among the Waorani people. The story I was told was of her brave sacrifice and astounding forgiveness, to live among and preach the Gospel to the very people who killed her brother. For good measure, she also did her very best to strip the people of their culture, their stories, and their history. She shamed and belittled them, called them savages in her writing and to their faces, and lied to them when she tricked them into giving their land away to oil companies. Those oil companies then pillaged the land and poisoned their water supply, leading to the deaths of children whose parents were told the water was fine. Angry yet? We all should be. We were sold half truths and happy missionary stories, and Nemonte's people and beloved homeland paid the price.
We need to be honest about the harm that's been done in the name of Jesus. Rachel Saint and other missionaries who came after her were colonizers, and the damage they did was widespread. In some ways, many of us are complicit, including myself. The least we can do is acknowledge the pain and damage that's been caused. Reading Nemonte's story is one small way to bear witness.
September 2, 2025
There are two sides to every story, and here is the other side to the Elliots' and Saints' stories. I think we owe it to the indigenous people of the Amazon to read this book if we've grown up under the Elliot/Saint legacy. I think it's fair to say that while mission efforts can do incredible good, they can also do devastating harm, as seen in Nemonte's memoir.
September 18, 2024
If I could rate this 10/10 stars, this book would surely surpass it.
We Will Be Jaguars is an incredibly powerful and important Memoir by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson. Nemonte speaks with her heart and soul taking us with her through her heartbreaking moments, revelations, childhood innocence, defeats and triumphs. This is an important book that everyone needs to read, and it deserves to be highly appreciated. I cried with her, I laughed with her, celebrated with her. I felt her fear, worry and disgust. This is a truly tragic history.
Nemonte teaches us the ways of the Amazon, the ways of her people, their beliefs, fears, storytelling, natural medicines, shamanism, and foraging. They live and breathe the rainforest. After reading this memoir, I have increased knowledge about what is going on in the Amazon rainforest and the impacts of the oil companies not only on the rainforest itself but the impacts on the villages and communities intertwined throughout the forest.
Christine Anne-Roche narrated this book perfectly. She was able to transport me right into the Amazon Rainforest through humming songs, sounds of birdcalls. She may be the best narrator I’ve ever listened to.
A massive thank you to Nemonte Nenquimo and RBmedia for an advance copy of this audiobook, this is my 100% honest feedback. I am truly so honoured to have the opportunity to read this book.
We Will Be Jaguars is an incredibly powerful and important Memoir by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson. Nemonte speaks with her heart and soul taking us with her through her heartbreaking moments, revelations, childhood innocence, defeats and triumphs. This is an important book that everyone needs to read, and it deserves to be highly appreciated. I cried with her, I laughed with her, celebrated with her. I felt her fear, worry and disgust. This is a truly tragic history.
Nemonte teaches us the ways of the Amazon, the ways of her people, their beliefs, fears, storytelling, natural medicines, shamanism, and foraging. They live and breathe the rainforest. After reading this memoir, I have increased knowledge about what is going on in the Amazon rainforest and the impacts of the oil companies not only on the rainforest itself but the impacts on the villages and communities intertwined throughout the forest.
Christine Anne-Roche narrated this book perfectly. She was able to transport me right into the Amazon Rainforest through humming songs, sounds of birdcalls. She may be the best narrator I’ve ever listened to.
A massive thank you to Nemonte Nenquimo and RBmedia for an advance copy of this audiobook, this is my 100% honest feedback. I am truly so honoured to have the opportunity to read this book.
October 21, 2024
Fuck colonization and fuck white people
September 8, 2024
Wow! This should be required reading. The story of a clash of cultures and the education of a revolutionary was inspiring. I definitely recommend!
October 30, 2025
Nemonte Nenquimo's story IS alive and it inspired me. Discussed tonight in our BookBuddy group, I will feel her words, her jaguars and jungle floors continue to float through my mind in the days ahead as they have since the covers closed shut. Her words travel in the spaces her story created in my reading mind.
All the stolen lands, cultures, laid over with pavement, cut down with huge tools, original peoples shoved off to the corners, banished to the least parts. What's a little blood spilled, flesh killed in the course of creating Kingdoms for Progress? We've been doing since the beginning of time. . .! Kudos to the Waorani flexing their all to take back from the oil companies, and inspiring others by releasing their stories to show hidden tricks and traps thieving bullies deftly laid.
There's a sly wickedness that invades the cracks when one group of humans decide their wisdom is superior to another's; is needed, is required for 'elevating' another lower, lacking group. Mighty acts of persuasion accompanied by tasty treats or silky fabrics can turn heads and change minds. For a minute. Persistent distractions are a colonizers best tools. . .
Nemonte's story IS the living being she says it is in her introduction:
For us, stories are living beings. They breathe life into our homes, into our forests. They pulse in our blood, in our dreams. They stalk us like jaguars, clack like peccary, sail like macaws, run like fish. They are powerful beings. Like rainbows, they bring peace. Like lightning, they bring war. And they are always changing. That’s how we know that they are alive.
A story dies when no one tells it. Our stories have never been written down. Not like this. Part of me is scared. Have I told too much? Left too many tracks? What will you do with my story now that it has been written? I hope you will let it live.
Nenquimo, Nemonte; Anderson, Mitch. We Will Be Jaguars (Reese's Book Club Pick): A Memoir of My People (pp. 1-2). Abrams Press. Kindle Edition.
This book is an excellent read, an Important Being that needs your eyes, ears and heart. Give it your most earnest attention.
25|52:42e
All the stolen lands, cultures, laid over with pavement, cut down with huge tools, original peoples shoved off to the corners, banished to the least parts. What's a little blood spilled, flesh killed in the course of creating Kingdoms for Progress? We've been doing since the beginning of time. . .! Kudos to the Waorani flexing their all to take back from the oil companies, and inspiring others by releasing their stories to show hidden tricks and traps thieving bullies deftly laid.
There's a sly wickedness that invades the cracks when one group of humans decide their wisdom is superior to another's; is needed, is required for 'elevating' another lower, lacking group. Mighty acts of persuasion accompanied by tasty treats or silky fabrics can turn heads and change minds. For a minute. Persistent distractions are a colonizers best tools. . .
Nemonte's story IS the living being she says it is in her introduction:
For us, stories are living beings. They breathe life into our homes, into our forests. They pulse in our blood, in our dreams. They stalk us like jaguars, clack like peccary, sail like macaws, run like fish. They are powerful beings. Like rainbows, they bring peace. Like lightning, they bring war. And they are always changing. That’s how we know that they are alive.
A story dies when no one tells it. Our stories have never been written down. Not like this. Part of me is scared. Have I told too much? Left too many tracks? What will you do with my story now that it has been written? I hope you will let it live.
Nenquimo, Nemonte; Anderson, Mitch. We Will Be Jaguars (Reese's Book Club Pick): A Memoir of My People (pp. 1-2). Abrams Press. Kindle Edition.
This book is an excellent read, an Important Being that needs your eyes, ears and heart. Give it your most earnest attention.
25|52:42e
August 25, 2025
An immensly powerful and heart-wrenching autobiography. Huge reading recommendation!
Eine extrem kraftvolle und emotionale, teils herzzerreißende Autobiographie. Große Leseempfehlung! Den englischen Titel "We will be Jaguars" finde ich viel besser als den deutschen.
Eine extrem kraftvolle und emotionale, teils herzzerreißende Autobiographie. Große Leseempfehlung! Den englischen Titel "We will be Jaguars" finde ich viel besser als den deutschen.
January 12, 2025
An important and courageous story that weaves together a highly personal account with the collective fight of indigenous communities to protect their lands against the encroachment of missionaries and (especially) oil companies. The book left me eager to learn more about the authors and the organizations they started.
The open ghost writing across multiple languages raised some questions for me, and I found myself wondering how fundraising motives (for the authors’ respective organizations) influenced the overarching narrative. Perhaps for that reason, I liked the first half (personal stories of the author growing up in the recently “contacted” Amazon) much more than the second half of the book (author’s personal relationship with white man and founding of alliance).
The middle of the book dragged a bit. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciated the overall message - one I will remember and reflect on for a long time to come!
The open ghost writing across multiple languages raised some questions for me, and I found myself wondering how fundraising motives (for the authors’ respective organizations) influenced the overarching narrative. Perhaps for that reason, I liked the first half (personal stories of the author growing up in the recently “contacted” Amazon) much more than the second half of the book (author’s personal relationship with white man and founding of alliance).
The middle of the book dragged a bit. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciated the overall message - one I will remember and reflect on for a long time to come!
November 18, 2024
Holy fucking shit.
August 31, 2025
No sé por dónde empezar, todo el proceso de lectura me dejó bastante sorprendida, asqueada y meditativa.
La historia de Nemonte es solo una mirada a una realidad de la naturaleza (?) humana, que es la de la lucha de poderes, de la avaricia, el ego y la destrucción.
Nemonte es una mujer Guaraní que vive en la selva amazónica, y este libro biográfico cuenta no sólo cómo es y fue su vida en la selva, sino especialmente cómo su vida (y la de su comunidad) fue afectada por la presencia de _el mundo civilizado_. Empezando por los misioneros cristianos, el hombre blanco salvador, las compañías mineras y las compañías petroleras.
Todos, invadiendo y apropiándose del espacio con la idea de estar "trayendo progreso".
La lucha personal interna, pero también de activismo de Nemonte es de admirar, y sin duda la deuda material en historica que expone y que se tiene sobre muchas comunidades en el mundo es innegable.
Apoyo sus ideas, su visión de las cosas, pero no puedo dejar de pensar que de todas maneras yo soy una blanca-mestiza que no terminará nunca de entender el mundo de la manera en la que ella lo hace, y también me hace sentir un poco culpable por ser parte del grupo de personas que para ella y sus comunidades representa el peligro.
Nadie puede elegir dónde ni cómo nace, pero sí hay que entender qué implicar ser y estar en un lugar, intentar reparar y prevenir.
Algo más que me gustó del libro es que apesar de todo lo vivido por Nemonte, en un punto su revelación es que todo el mundo "civilizado" también tiene conciencia de lo que está haciendo y de lo que se está haciendo a sí mismo, y que entonces la lucha de los pueblos indígenas por cuidar su territorio, puede ser un punto de inicio para alcanzar la conciencia de que debemos entre todos salvar al planeta.
El título en inglés de este libro es "We will not be saved", qué adquiere sentido cuando las comunidades indígenas de las que hablan se dan cuenta que siempre que han querido ayudarlos y salvarlos terminan empeorando las cosas, y que solo son ellos quienes tienen el conocimiento, la sensibilidad y las formas para mantenerse en pie sin depender del "hombre blanco."
Finalmente, hay muchos temas en este libro que pueden ser abordados: maternidad, estándares de belleza, religión, económica, ecocidio, tradición horal, historia, geografía.....
La historia de Nemonte es solo una mirada a una realidad de la naturaleza (?) humana, que es la de la lucha de poderes, de la avaricia, el ego y la destrucción.
Nemonte es una mujer Guaraní que vive en la selva amazónica, y este libro biográfico cuenta no sólo cómo es y fue su vida en la selva, sino especialmente cómo su vida (y la de su comunidad) fue afectada por la presencia de _el mundo civilizado_. Empezando por los misioneros cristianos, el hombre blanco salvador, las compañías mineras y las compañías petroleras.
Todos, invadiendo y apropiándose del espacio con la idea de estar "trayendo progreso".
La lucha personal interna, pero también de activismo de Nemonte es de admirar, y sin duda la deuda material en historica que expone y que se tiene sobre muchas comunidades en el mundo es innegable.
Apoyo sus ideas, su visión de las cosas, pero no puedo dejar de pensar que de todas maneras yo soy una blanca-mestiza que no terminará nunca de entender el mundo de la manera en la que ella lo hace, y también me hace sentir un poco culpable por ser parte del grupo de personas que para ella y sus comunidades representa el peligro.
Nadie puede elegir dónde ni cómo nace, pero sí hay que entender qué implicar ser y estar en un lugar, intentar reparar y prevenir.
Algo más que me gustó del libro es que apesar de todo lo vivido por Nemonte, en un punto su revelación es que todo el mundo "civilizado" también tiene conciencia de lo que está haciendo y de lo que se está haciendo a sí mismo, y que entonces la lucha de los pueblos indígenas por cuidar su territorio, puede ser un punto de inicio para alcanzar la conciencia de que debemos entre todos salvar al planeta.
El título en inglés de este libro es "We will not be saved", qué adquiere sentido cuando las comunidades indígenas de las que hablan se dan cuenta que siempre que han querido ayudarlos y salvarlos terminan empeorando las cosas, y que solo son ellos quienes tienen el conocimiento, la sensibilidad y las formas para mantenerse en pie sin depender del "hombre blanco."
Finalmente, hay muchos temas en este libro que pueden ser abordados: maternidad, estándares de belleza, religión, económica, ecocidio, tradición horal, historia, geografía.....
September 17, 2024
This is a great read! I don't know much (anything, really) about the Ecuadorian Amazon, but Nenquimo (and her husband, Mitch Anderson) writes about it so well that it virtually comes alive in front of you. I especially loved the passages where she speaks of her childhood and her experiences with her siblings. A part of me thinks that this book should just have focused on the rainforest way of life, to be a memoir of her youth. The activism element works, but it doesn't have the same magic or passion as other sections of the book. That being said, another part of me thinks that this book could have been purely about activism and still been brilliant. The marriage of both is great, but it doesn't always work. It never fails, though, and that's the important thing!
Would I recommend this book? Most definitely!
*Don't forget to support your local library*
Would I recommend this book? Most definitely!
*Don't forget to support your local library*
August 10, 2024
A library pick up that told an incredible story of the fight for part of the Amazon and the pushback agaunst Big oil. Truly inspiring
December 10, 2024
Best book I’ve read all year. It made me laugh and cry and Nemonte’s story is so beautiful (and sometimes painful) to read.
May 22, 2025
devastating, hopeful, informative. a must read
June 21, 2025
The story is poignant. It follows the life of the author from a little girl growing up in the Amazon rain forest, through her learning to become Christianized by evangelicals who eventually sexually assaulted her. She goes back to her roots and becomes at leader of her people marries an American activist and successfully stops the destruction of Huaorani lands by oil companies. Her efforts are an inspiration to anyone who finds themselves fighting a major organization.
On a personal note, the story has parallels to my own experience. Big Green seized land that had been in our family for generations. Backroom deals, crooked judges and a protective agency that protected the interests of sham environmentalists destroyed the place that I grew up. Wealthy elites rammed the destructive power project through. Nenquimo succeeded where we failed.
If you have to fight the government, wealthy green industry speculators, or anyone who thinks they know more about what is good for you than you do (because they have more money, fame, or power), this book should be studied. The author is truly inspirational.
On a personal note, the story has parallels to my own experience. Big Green seized land that had been in our family for generations. Backroom deals, crooked judges and a protective agency that protected the interests of sham environmentalists destroyed the place that I grew up. Wealthy elites rammed the destructive power project through. Nenquimo succeeded where we failed.
If you have to fight the government, wealthy green industry speculators, or anyone who thinks they know more about what is good for you than you do (because they have more money, fame, or power), this book should be studied. The author is truly inspirational.
February 3, 2025
Devastating & Beautiful
“Our entire society, all of our comfort is built on the destruction of the rivers and the forest and the lives.”
“The white people’s world seeks to destroy community. Once they destroy the community then it is easy to destroy the individual”
“We are threatening what makes the cars move and what makes the planes fly. We are threatening the white peoples comfort; their very idea of happiness.“
“Our entire society, all of our comfort is built on the destruction of the rivers and the forest and the lives.”
“The white people’s world seeks to destroy community. Once they destroy the community then it is easy to destroy the individual”
“We are threatening what makes the cars move and what makes the planes fly. We are threatening the white peoples comfort; their very idea of happiness.“
November 8, 2024
Reese’s Book Club November’24 pick.
WE WILL BE JAGUARS is a sharply-written memoir full of drama and depth, exploring the complexities of indigenous people and their culture when catastrophic change comes to their native environment.
Waorani author, Nemonte Nenquimo, tells of her childhood and coming-of-age in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, and about a new language and religion brought to her village by a Christian missionary, but of whom also sought control over the Waorani people. Sadly, for Nemonte and other girls that incl. sexual abuse by another missionary later.
Nemonte tells that with the Ecuadorian government continually auctioning off millions-of-acres of indigenous homeland to big industry - - it has resulted in logging and oil drilling beginning and expanding throughout the rainforest causing the poisoning of water and any food source living within it. Oil slicks mean certain death to birds and animals coming in contact with it.. and roads, pipelines, and oil towns replacing trees, plants and wildlife.
When Nemonte meets American activist (now husband) Mitch, her life begins anew as they gather the elders of villages, activists and others to help save the Amazon ecosystem and the indigenous way of life. But this is really a fight to protect the whole world, the Amazon rainforest being interconnected to, and protector of, Mother Earth. 🌎 This is in effect why climate change has become the biggest threat to our own existence. Scary to think that if we don’t listen up, someday this will all be gone. Her story gave me so much to think about. Excellent. Highly recommend. 5 stars — Pub. 9/17/24
WE WILL BE JAGUARS is a sharply-written memoir full of drama and depth, exploring the complexities of indigenous people and their culture when catastrophic change comes to their native environment.
Waorani author, Nemonte Nenquimo, tells of her childhood and coming-of-age in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, and about a new language and religion brought to her village by a Christian missionary, but of whom also sought control over the Waorani people. Sadly, for Nemonte and other girls that incl. sexual abuse by another missionary later.
Nemonte tells that with the Ecuadorian government continually auctioning off millions-of-acres of indigenous homeland to big industry - - it has resulted in logging and oil drilling beginning and expanding throughout the rainforest causing the poisoning of water and any food source living within it. Oil slicks mean certain death to birds and animals coming in contact with it.. and roads, pipelines, and oil towns replacing trees, plants and wildlife.
When Nemonte meets American activist (now husband) Mitch, her life begins anew as they gather the elders of villages, activists and others to help save the Amazon ecosystem and the indigenous way of life. But this is really a fight to protect the whole world, the Amazon rainforest being interconnected to, and protector of, Mother Earth. 🌎 This is in effect why climate change has become the biggest threat to our own existence. Scary to think that if we don’t listen up, someday this will all be gone. Her story gave me so much to think about. Excellent. Highly recommend. 5 stars — Pub. 9/17/24
May 29, 2025
In 2022 hebben Bert en ik Ecuador bezocht. Tijdens die reis hebben we een tijdje vastgezeten in het dorpje Lago Agrio, omdat er protesten waren van de Indigenous tegen de overheid en hun oliebeleid. De dagen ervoor hadden we doorgebracht in het regenwoud, langs de Amazone, een waarlijk prachtige ervaring. Het contrast met Lago Agrio, een stad enkel en alleen ontstaan doordat er olie werd geboord en op die plek het woud werd verwoest, was enorm. Omdat we er enige tijd vast zaten hebben we ook de kans gehad te spreken met onze gidsen over de protesten en de eeuwigdurende strijd van de inheemse bewoners van de Amazone tegen geld, olie en verwoesting van hun jungle.
Deze memoire begint in de jungle, waar de kleine Nemonte leeft op het ritme van de natuur. Maar ook daar werd ze door de aanwezigheid van missionarissen al van jongsaf geconfronteerd met de onstopbare drang van de Westerse wereld om hun leven, hun godsdienst, hun regels, aan anderen op te dringen. Willens nillens. Dit boek is prachtig (en heel hard), het leest niet altijd makkelijk doordat de context van dat leven met de natuur minder herkenbaar is voor ons. Toch is het een enorme aanrader, omwille van de hartverscheurendheid en de ongefilterde blik in wat we allemaal teweeg gebracht hebben (en verwoest) in het leven van Nemonte, haar stam, haar thuis, de wereld waarop we leven. Het toont ook de kracht van verzet, van vereniging, van vechten voor het behoud. In een ideale wereld zou dit laatste natuurlijk niet nodig zijn...
Deze memoire begint in de jungle, waar de kleine Nemonte leeft op het ritme van de natuur. Maar ook daar werd ze door de aanwezigheid van missionarissen al van jongsaf geconfronteerd met de onstopbare drang van de Westerse wereld om hun leven, hun godsdienst, hun regels, aan anderen op te dringen. Willens nillens. Dit boek is prachtig (en heel hard), het leest niet altijd makkelijk doordat de context van dat leven met de natuur minder herkenbaar is voor ons. Toch is het een enorme aanrader, omwille van de hartverscheurendheid en de ongefilterde blik in wat we allemaal teweeg gebracht hebben (en verwoest) in het leven van Nemonte, haar stam, haar thuis, de wereld waarop we leven. Het toont ook de kracht van verzet, van vereniging, van vechten voor het behoud. In een ideale wereld zou dit laatste natuurlijk niet nodig zijn...
August 25, 2024
This book was so so deeply moving and incredibly important for the world.
Also I think Nemonte is incredibly wise. This was the quote I recorded:
'I felt laughter rising in my gut.
"Are you going to have another laughing attack?" Michi asked.
I had been laughing for an entire moon. The laughter was jaguar medicine. It was what my ancestors had been trying to teach me all these years: to laugh at my own suffering, to laugh like wind in the forest, to laugh all the way into battle. It was part of my people's power. It was our medicine. It was the mask we wore for protection, the laughter of survival.'
Laughter is wisdom. Stories are wisdom.
Also I think Nemonte is incredibly wise. This was the quote I recorded:
'I felt laughter rising in my gut.
"Are you going to have another laughing attack?" Michi asked.
I had been laughing for an entire moon. The laughter was jaguar medicine. It was what my ancestors had been trying to teach me all these years: to laugh at my own suffering, to laugh like wind in the forest, to laugh all the way into battle. It was part of my people's power. It was our medicine. It was the mask we wore for protection, the laughter of survival.'
Laughter is wisdom. Stories are wisdom.
July 10, 2024
‘*‘ Meine Meinung ‘*‘
Nachdem ich im Januar 2024 in Panama die indigenen Emberá und Guna Yala besucht hatte, war ich natürlich sehr interessiert an Nemontes Buch.
Der Einblick, den ich in das Leben des indigenen Volkes der Waorani im ecuadorianischen Regenwald erhielt, war faszinierend. Sie leben mit der Natur im Einklang und verstehen ihre Zeichen zu lesen. Es ist auch ein hartes Leben und die Kinder lernen früh, Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Also das genaue Gegenteil der Helikopter-Eltern in der sogenannten zivilisierten Welt.
Aber wie es immer so ist, kommen weiße Missionare und mischen sich in alles ein. Sie wissen alles besser und ohne Gott kann doch kein lebenswertes Leben stattfinden. Was für ein Schwachfug! In diesem Moment fühlte ich mich an die Missionare in Afrika erinnert und war doppelt entsetzt, dass dies auch in den 90er Jahren noch genau so lief. Dass es dabei auch zu Missbrauch kommt, überraschte mich leider nicht mehr.
Unglaublich, dass nicht aus der nicht allzu fernen Geschichten gelernt wurde.
Als wenn das noch nicht genug wäre, begannen die Ölkonzerne das Land und seine Menschen auszubeuten. Der Regenwald und damit die Lebensgrundlage der indigenen Völker wurden ruiniert und die Menschen wurden total abgezockt. Natürlich haben wir alle schon mal davon gehört, aber es so hautnah mitzuerleben, die Gefühle Nemontes und ihrer Familie zu erleben, ihre Gedanken zu erfahren, zu erleben, wie sich das Leben für die Menschen änderte, ließ es noch eindringlicher daher kommen. Und damit noch abscheulicher. Und das allerschlimmste, die Menschen lernen nicht daraus.
Aber es ist auch ein Leben voller Hoffnung. Nemonte hat gemeinsam mit ihrem Partner Mitch und anderen Indigenen eine Bewegung ins Leben gerufen, die „Alianza Ceibo“. Ceibo steht für den Kapokbaum und es wird in dem Buch erklärt, warum dieser Name gewählt wurde. Der Wahlspruch der Alianza lautet „Unser Regenwald steht nicht zum Verkauf“. Und genau das hat die Alianza vor Gericht gegen die ecuadorianische Regierung eingeklagt und gewonnen!
Ja, der Schreibstil ist stellenweise sehr einfach, aber das ließ das rudimentäre Leben im Regenwald nur noch realistischer erscheinen. Da wird einfach das ausgesprochen, was wichtig ist und was getan werden muss.
Friederike Becht hat das Buch einfühlsam eingelesen und mich auf Nemontes Weg begleitet. Sie hat selbst in dunklen Momenten nicht überakzentuiert und immer genau den Ton getroffen, der betroffen macht, aber nicht die Mitleidstour fährt. Es hat mir auch sehr imponiert, dass sie die Namen und Worte der Waorani mit Hilfe von Aufzeichnungen von Conny und Mitch eruiert hat, um die Authentizität zu gewährleisten.
Ein Buch, das aufrüttelt und auch in der Schule Einzug halten sollte. Denn näher und lebendiger kann man Akzeptanz anderer Kulturen und die Notwendigkeit von Umwelt- und Klimaschutz nicht lehren. Eindeutig 5 Regenwald-Sterne.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
„Für uns sind Geschichten lebendige Wesen. Sie erfüllen unsere Häuser, unsere Wälder mit Leben. Sie pulsieren in unseren Adern, in unseren Träumen. Eine Geschichte, die niemand erzählt, stirbt.“
Eindrucksvoll erzählt die indigene Aktivistin Nemonte Nenquimo ihre Geschichte. Von ihrem Aufwachsen im Amazonas-Regenwald zwischen alten Traditionen und christlichen Missionaren, von den mächtigen Ölkonzernen, die rücksichtslos immer weiter in den Urwald eindringen, und von ihrem Kampf für den Erhalt ihrer Heimat.
Es ist die Geschichte einer uralten Kultur in einer atemberaubenden Landschaft und ein eindringlicher Appell gegen die Zerstörung unseres Planeten - denn die indigenen Völker im Regenwald bewahren einen unglaublichen Schatz, den wir alle zum Leben auf dieser Erde brauchen.
„Ich hatte das Glück, sie kennen zulernen, und ich hatte noch mehr Glück, von ihr zu lernen.“ Leonardo Dicaprio über Nemonte Nenquimo
Nachdem ich im Januar 2024 in Panama die indigenen Emberá und Guna Yala besucht hatte, war ich natürlich sehr interessiert an Nemontes Buch.
Der Einblick, den ich in das Leben des indigenen Volkes der Waorani im ecuadorianischen Regenwald erhielt, war faszinierend. Sie leben mit der Natur im Einklang und verstehen ihre Zeichen zu lesen. Es ist auch ein hartes Leben und die Kinder lernen früh, Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Also das genaue Gegenteil der Helikopter-Eltern in der sogenannten zivilisierten Welt.
Aber wie es immer so ist, kommen weiße Missionare und mischen sich in alles ein. Sie wissen alles besser und ohne Gott kann doch kein lebenswertes Leben stattfinden. Was für ein Schwachfug! In diesem Moment fühlte ich mich an die Missionare in Afrika erinnert und war doppelt entsetzt, dass dies auch in den 90er Jahren noch genau so lief. Dass es dabei auch zu Missbrauch kommt, überraschte mich leider nicht mehr.
Unglaublich, dass nicht aus der nicht allzu fernen Geschichten gelernt wurde.
Als wenn das noch nicht genug wäre, begannen die Ölkonzerne das Land und seine Menschen auszubeuten. Der Regenwald und damit die Lebensgrundlage der indigenen Völker wurden ruiniert und die Menschen wurden total abgezockt. Natürlich haben wir alle schon mal davon gehört, aber es so hautnah mitzuerleben, die Gefühle Nemontes und ihrer Familie zu erleben, ihre Gedanken zu erfahren, zu erleben, wie sich das Leben für die Menschen änderte, ließ es noch eindringlicher daher kommen. Und damit noch abscheulicher. Und das allerschlimmste, die Menschen lernen nicht daraus.
Aber es ist auch ein Leben voller Hoffnung. Nemonte hat gemeinsam mit ihrem Partner Mitch und anderen Indigenen eine Bewegung ins Leben gerufen, die „Alianza Ceibo“. Ceibo steht für den Kapokbaum und es wird in dem Buch erklärt, warum dieser Name gewählt wurde. Der Wahlspruch der Alianza lautet „Unser Regenwald steht nicht zum Verkauf“. Und genau das hat die Alianza vor Gericht gegen die ecuadorianische Regierung eingeklagt und gewonnen!
Ja, der Schreibstil ist stellenweise sehr einfach, aber das ließ das rudimentäre Leben im Regenwald nur noch realistischer erscheinen. Da wird einfach das ausgesprochen, was wichtig ist und was getan werden muss.
Friederike Becht hat das Buch einfühlsam eingelesen und mich auf Nemontes Weg begleitet. Sie hat selbst in dunklen Momenten nicht überakzentuiert und immer genau den Ton getroffen, der betroffen macht, aber nicht die Mitleidstour fährt. Es hat mir auch sehr imponiert, dass sie die Namen und Worte der Waorani mit Hilfe von Aufzeichnungen von Conny und Mitch eruiert hat, um die Authentizität zu gewährleisten.
Ein Buch, das aufrüttelt und auch in der Schule Einzug halten sollte. Denn näher und lebendiger kann man Akzeptanz anderer Kulturen und die Notwendigkeit von Umwelt- und Klimaschutz nicht lehren. Eindeutig 5 Regenwald-Sterne.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
„Für uns sind Geschichten lebendige Wesen. Sie erfüllen unsere Häuser, unsere Wälder mit Leben. Sie pulsieren in unseren Adern, in unseren Träumen. Eine Geschichte, die niemand erzählt, stirbt.“
Eindrucksvoll erzählt die indigene Aktivistin Nemonte Nenquimo ihre Geschichte. Von ihrem Aufwachsen im Amazonas-Regenwald zwischen alten Traditionen und christlichen Missionaren, von den mächtigen Ölkonzernen, die rücksichtslos immer weiter in den Urwald eindringen, und von ihrem Kampf für den Erhalt ihrer Heimat.
Es ist die Geschichte einer uralten Kultur in einer atemberaubenden Landschaft und ein eindringlicher Appell gegen die Zerstörung unseres Planeten - denn die indigenen Völker im Regenwald bewahren einen unglaublichen Schatz, den wir alle zum Leben auf dieser Erde brauchen.
„Ich hatte das Glück, sie kennen zulernen, und ich hatte noch mehr Glück, von ihr zu lernen.“ Leonardo Dicaprio über Nemonte Nenquimo
February 5, 2025
Beautifully written and emotionally stirring
July 2, 2025
Emocionante. Qué locura de libro. Tan transparente. Me gustó ver el crecimiento de la autora. El que no esconda lo que fue, el que muestre su camino, sus traumas, cada una de sus vivencias hasta llegar a donde llegó y hasta conseguir lo que consiguió. Piel de gallina.
Más allá de la lucha política, hace que tomes conciencia de la importancia de no olvidar nuestras historias, de dónde venimos, del respeto a nuestros ancestros. Pero a su vez, de darme cuenta del respeto que se les debe a los que siempre olvidamos o subestimamos, por no conocerlos, por ignorancia, por descuido, por desinterés, por falta de empatía.
Veo muchas similitudes en cuanto a la conquista, la manipulación, asesinatos, violencia, etc. desde la conquista de América, a conflictos actuales. Es una locura cómo la historia se repite y darnos cuenta que no aprendemos de ella.
Más allá de la lucha política, hace que tomes conciencia de la importancia de no olvidar nuestras historias, de dónde venimos, del respeto a nuestros ancestros. Pero a su vez, de darme cuenta del respeto que se les debe a los que siempre olvidamos o subestimamos, por no conocerlos, por ignorancia, por descuido, por desinterés, por falta de empatía.
Veo muchas similitudes en cuanto a la conquista, la manipulación, asesinatos, violencia, etc. desde la conquista de América, a conflictos actuales. Es una locura cómo la historia se repite y darnos cuenta que no aprendemos de ella.
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