Competitors from more than 20 Brazilian ethnicities and indigenous peoples from 22 countries across the globe ranging from New Zealand (Aotearoa) to Russia and Canada to Argentina gathered to compete in and witness the first World Indigenous Games in Palmas, Brazil.
Competitors dressed in traditional clothing with painted faces and traditional tattoos to participate in a variety of sports. Some sports were similar to mainstream Olympic versions, while others are only found in those parts of the world. “I’ve never seen such a thing,” said undeclared freshman Marcos Fontes from Cape Verde. “We have a bunch of games and competitions around the world, but this one is different and unique because it involves culture and identity.”
The games, which took place from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1, are not the first of its kind. Run by a Brazilian indigenous peoples non-governmental organization called the Inter Tribal Council (ITC), the idea first originated and was carried out in 1996 by Carlos Terena, now the executive director of the games. There have been 12 editions of those games for ethnic groups within Brazil, but this year marked the first World Indigenous Games.
One group in Brazil, a tribe called the Krahô, reports the Wall Street Journal, purposefully avoided the games, calling it an exploitation of indigenous identity.
“I think that it is not exploiting, but a chance to promote or share cultural values,” said Fontes. “How can I learn about other places if no one talks about it? The games can be a stage where different countries share their culture.”
Every athlete received a medal, according to the Wall Street Journal, and were chosen to compete by delegation within each country or ethnic group. Competitors had to be at least 16 years of age, but there was no official age maximum, and around 70 different ethno-linguistic groups were represented.
Over 2,000 people competed in the games, which included log-carrying, tug-of-war, xikunahati (an indigenous form of soccer in which players are on all fours and use their heads), traditional canoeing, wrestling, and many others, reported CNN.
According to the Wall Street Journal, entrance to the games was free to the public, but the event cost $40 million, and was specifically planned for 2015 because it would sandwich the World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
“We have the World Cup, Olympics, but none of them really have the cultural part,” said Fontes. “These games are awesome because they will present part of their culture. Possibly these games can become famous and it can be one more worldwide competition like the Olympics. I think that it is a great idea.”
Despite a few problems in organization and intercultural obstacles, reports CNN, the games were a success with both the competitors and the crowd, and is set to occur again in 2017 in Canada.