American Christian missionaries made contact with the Huaorani people in Ecuador in the 1950s. Five missionaries were killed by Huaorani warriors. The author argues that the Huaorani warriors should not be punished for killing the missionaries for several reasons: a Huaorani lied about being attacked, the Huaorani did not speak English and did not understand the missionaries, and the missionaries had guns while the Huaorani only had spears. The author believes the missionaries invaded Huaorani territory and the Huaorani responded out of fear and confusion over the situation.

1. Julian Gomez
Period: 6
April 25, 2012
Huaorani – Missionaries Essay
In the 1950’s, American Christian missionaries living in Ecuador,
South America, made contact with the Huaorani, an indigenous warrior
culture. In the process, 5 Christian missionaries, all men, were killed by the
spears of Huaorani warriors. The Huaorani who speared to the death, 5
missionaries, shouldn’t be punished because a Huaorani lied about being
attacked, the Huaorani didn’t even speak English and the missionaries had
guns. I think the Christian missionaries should be the ones to blame.
The Huaorani warriors shouldn’t be punished for killing 5
missionaries with their spears because a Huaorani lied about being
attacked. They shouldn’t be punished because they didn’t know what was
going on. A Huaorani came and told the rest of the warriors that he was
being attacked by missionaries. They shouldn’t be punished because the
Huaorani were confused and everything happened so fast.
Also the Huaorani shouldn’t be punished for killing 5 missionaries
with their spears because the Huaorani didn’t speak English. The Huaorani
shouldn’t be blamed because for all they know, the missionaries could
have been telling them they were going to die. Being that the Huaorani
didn’t speak or understand English, shouldn’t the missionaries make an
effort to try to speak and understand Huaorani before trying to confront the
Huaorani. Put yourself in their (Huaorani) shoes, if missionaries with no
knowledge of your language trying to go toward you wouldn’t you be
frightened and attacked.
Finally the Huaorani warriors shouldn’t be blamed or punished for
killing 5 missionaries with their spears because the missionaries had guns.
The Huaorani attacked because the Huaorani though they were being
threatened. Why should they be punished for only protecting themselves?
There is no crime against that. The Huaorani attacks when they feel
threatened and unsafe. If you felt threatened and unsafe wouldn’t you
attack them? I know I would.
Therefore, the Huaorani warriors shouldn’t be punished for killing 5
missionaries because a Huaorani lied about being attacked, the Huaorani
didn’t speak English. Also the missionaries had guns. So personally I think
the Huaorani shouldn’t be punished because the missionaries came and

2. invaded the Huaorani territory. The Huaorani were scared and they didn’t
know what was going on. They also didn’t know who the missionaries
were. So that’s why they SHOULDN’T BE PUNISHED!!!!!!!!!!