Xingu Flute Ceremony 

Native Culture

Xingu Indian flute ceremony being performed for an audience in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Xingu Indians are not naive nor are they unworldly. Indeed, they often travel to other parts of Brazil to educate outsiders about their indigenous culture. In addition, they realize that they must learn about the outside world in order to prevent outsiders from abusing them. Moreover, they understand that they must educate outsiders about their native culture in order that outsiders will appreciate their culture and allow it to survive. This native ceremony, which involves the playing of giant flutes, is often performed with the participation of adolescent girls and is a rite of passage for them.