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Hong Kong travel specialist Christy Leung ventured deep into Ecuador’s rainforest for the latest episode of her TVB series, “South America Trends 2,” airing this week, where she encountered an indigenous tribe with a severe shortage of men—and a tradition of receiving male partners as gifts from village leaders.
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Leung visited the Waorani people, a community of roughly 2,000 to 3,000 individuals living in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The tribe, often described as offering an “Amazon for beginners” experience due to its relatively accessible terrain, operates under a matriarchal structure. Women hold central roles, and the community faces a pronounced gender imbalance. “If you want to get married,” Leung explained, “the village chief or tribal leader will gift you a man.”
During her stay, Leung toured a triangular communal hut large enough for about 14 people. She joined Waorani women in hand-holding dances and songs, describing their demeanor as strikingly genuine. “Their smiles, their eyes, their way of speaking—everything is pure,” she said.
The host also accompanied hunters into the jungle, observing their traditional techniques. Waorani men are known for climbing trees barefoot—their feet naturally wider and toes more splayed from a lifetime of gripping bark. Some individuals even have six toes. Leung watched as a hunter swiftly scaled a tree and used a blowpipe to fire poison darts at prey, calling the skill “unbelievable.”
Curious about the poison, Leung tasted it raw. “It was so bitter I immediately spat it out,” she recalled. “I was afraid I might get poisoned.” Women of the tribe later presented her with handwoven grass bracelets and bags, which she modeled on the spot in the forest. She also witnessed the process of turning cacao beans into chocolate, a local staple thanks to the region’s fertile soil and climate.
Upcoming Episode
In the fifth episode, airing tonight, Leung will journey along the Napo River deeper into the Amazon. Her itinerary includes a wildlife rescue center, where she encounters abandoned animals such as raccoons, tapirs, and parrots. At the Kichwa tribe, she tries her hand at blow-dart hunting and samples traditional chicha, a fermented drink. Spotting a toucan, she joked, “I couldn’t tell if it was real or a toy—it looked like a stuffed animal.”
Later episodes will take her to the center of Ecuador’s capital, where she soaks in hot springs at a spa set in a valley 3,300 meters above sea level. She also samples local dishes including fritada (fried pork) and chocolate ice cream, which she praised as “delicious enough to make anyone want to stay forever.”
Broader Impact
Leung’s journey highlights the delicate balance between preserving indigenous traditions and opening them to outside curiosity. The Waorani’s matriarchal system and unique customs offer a rare glimpse into alternative social structures, while the growing visibility of such communities in travel media raises questions about cultural appropriation versus respectful tourism. For viewers, the series serves as a vivid reminder of the Amazon’s biodiversity—and the human resilience that thrives within it.
