Official opening of the Xingu Culture and Games Festival brings together over 900 indigenous people in a historic celebration
Unprecedented event in Altamira kicks off programming with rituals, sports, and cultural manifestations from 14 ethnic groups with the support of the Government of Pará and partnership with SEPI
An evening marked by emotion, traditional songs, and ancestral strength marked the official opening of the Xingu Indigenous Culture and Games Festival, held this Thursday (17) at the Games Arena of the Cais waterfront in Altamira, in the southwest of Pará. With the presence of over 900 indigenous people from 14 ethnic groups, the event celebrated the cultural and sporting diversity of the indigenous peoples of Pará and officially opened the programming that extends until July 20.
With cultural presentations and arrival rituals, the official opening also featured a parade of delegations, the exhibition of institutional videos, and the traditional log race, conducted by the Gavião Kyikatejê. The ceremony was attended by Governor Helder Barbalho, who highlighted the importance of the festival as a milestone in valuing indigenous culture.
"This is a moment to celebrate our culture and our ancestry. A moment to strengthen the ethnic groups through games and cultural manifestations. I am happy to see the Government of Pará, together with the City Hall of Altamira, promoting this symbolic gathering. May all the athletes and all the ethnic groups present here represent the cultural diversity and the strength of our people's ancestry. We need to increasingly encourage the unity of peoples, the coexistence among people who think differently, who have distinct cultures and lives, but who share something greater: we are all Brazilians, all from Pará, all children of the Xingu. We all love Altamira. Here we see that it is possible to live in a single territory, respect one another, and build a harmonious coexistence," stated Governor Helder Barbalho.
Also present were the Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, and the Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, along with other authorities. The Secretary of State for Indigenous Peoples, Puyr Tembé, reinforced SEPI's role in building partnerships that enable events like this and in public policies with indigenous leadership in Pará.
"The Xingu Festival and Games are a collective victory. A space for cultural affirmation, strengthening our ancestry, and also for visibility for the indigenous people who fight and have their sport, who dance and resist with dignity. SEPI will be present wherever necessary to ensure that our peoples have their rights respected," stated the secretary.
Also present at the ceremony was Chief Paynare Xipaia, from the indigenous land and the Xipaia people, who highlighted the significance of the event.
"We are very happy to participate in this event, the Indigenous Games, for the first time here in Altamira. It is an important moment that increasingly strengthens our people's culture and promotes the exchange of knowledge with other relatives. This gathering is a great opportunity to share experiences and bring new learnings back to our territories," explained the Chief.
Ethnic Groups of the Middle Xingu and Invited Peoples
With the greatest ethnic diversity in Pará, the Middle Xingu region hosts the gathering of nine ethnic groups originating from the area: Arara, Xipaya, Kuruaya, Asurini, Xikrin do Trincheira Bacajá, Kayapó do Kararaô, Parakanã, Araweté, and Juruna.
Also participating as invited ethnic groups are the Gavião Kyikatejê, Krimei Xikrin (from the Cateté River), and Kayapó Mebêngôkre (TI Kayapó), coming from other regions of the state. Each delegation consists of about 65 people, including athletes, children, and elders, gathering knowledge, sports, and traditions from different Amazonian territories.
Programming
The Festival features competitions in nine traditional and sporting modalities, including archery, target shooting, stick racing, swimming, canoeing, soccer, and tug of war. The programming also includes cultural presentations, rituals, indigenous parades, and musical shows by artists such as Liah Soares and local attractions.
The Xingu Indigenous Culture and Games Festival is an initiative of the State Program for Cultural Incentive (Semear), the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), the Tourism Secretariat of Pará (Setur), the Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples of Pará (SEPI), and the Government of Pará. The event also has the support of various municipal secretariats, Funai, and the Special Indigenous Health District (DSEI) of Altamira.
