Indigenous Games Ceremony

Xingu Indian Women

Indigenous Games ceremony during the opening of the "Jogos Indigenas" held in the town of Campo Novo, Mato Grosso, Brazil. These Xingu Indian women are exhibiting traditional female body painting and decorations. The indigenous games are spectacular, giving fans an opportunity not only to see the athletes, but also to observe their indigenous families and their traditional culture. As one would expect, the competitions at the Indigenous Games are much different than those observed at a typical sporting event. For example, blowgun competition is a big event at the Indigenous Games, but will probably never become an event at the Olympic Games.