Smile of the Amazon
Category: People
Photo and caption by david fabrega
Rebecca Valinga is the traditional healer of the community of Sarayaku, an indigenous community in the Amazon forest of Ecuador. She knows how to use plants of the rain forest to heal malaria and other diseases. Even if American oil company constantly persecute her community to drill in their sacred territory, she remains positive, explaining that the spirits of the forest will protect her village. She says that humans beings, plants and animals are one entity. The subtle ripples of green leaves responding to her radiant smile and wrinkles are a beautiful and mystical proof of that.
Location: Sarayaku indigenous community, Amazon forest, Ecuador
