Xingu Indian Youth 

Awawoiá Rites

Xingu Indian youth performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The rite of passage for young Xingu Indian males is named Awawoiá. During the Awawoiá rites, youths are isolated in seclusion and are not allowed to have contact with any girls or women. They can only have contact with other males and spend much of their time training for Huka-Huka wrestling contests. Male Xingu Indian youths start the Awawoiá at the age of fourteen and the rite typically lasts for between two to four years.