After pandemic, Indigenous Peoples Games return to be played in MG

After being stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minas Gerais Indigenous Peoples Games will be held again this year.

In the 2024 edition, around 1,000 indigenous athletes from 22 villages and 13 municipalities are expected to participate in the competition, representing ethnicities such as Kaxixó, Krenak, Maxakali, Mucuri, Pataxó, Xakriabá and Xukuru-Kariri.

The games feature eight sports, with each category being awarded with a trophy made by the indigenous people of the host village, Pataxó.

For the coordinator of Rural, Indigenous and Quilombola Education at the State Department of Education, Anne Vaz, the games represent an important moment for all people, as they promote integration, the exchange of knowledge and unity between these different ethnicities.

“In indigenous games, people interact and share knowledge, promoting not only sporting competitions, but also praising the richness of indigenous culture. It is also important to highlight the diversity of participants. We found entire families involved, from the elders, honored at the opening, to indigenous children, women, men and young people”, observes the coordinator.

The event has been held since 2012, but had not been held since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to sports, the games highlight indigenous culture in other ways, through the craft fair, cultural presentations and even a parade, which highlighted the end of the first day of competition.

Modalities

The eight modalities contested are:

• Archery
  A target is set up 30 meters away from the warrior. The competitor who hits the target the most times in three chances will be the champion. In the women's category, the distance will be 15 meters.
• Spear Throw
  The one who throws the spear the furthest will be the winner of the test.
• Bodoque
  Athletes will have to hit the target from a distance of 15 meters. There are three chances of success. Whoever gets it right will be the champion. If there are several hits, participants will continue to play until only one hits the target.
• Tug of war
  One team on each side pulls a rope, trying to drag the opposing team to their field. The team that manages to drag the opponent to their field will be the winner of the competition.
• maraca race
  The maraca race is made up of at least ten athletes, each covering a distance of 100 meters, 50 meters out and 50 meters back. Upon returning, the warrior will pass the maraca to his teammate, who will follow the same route. The team that completes the test in the shortest time wins. For women, the race will be 50 meters, 25 meters out and 25 meters back. Remembering that the maraca is not allowed to fall.
• Knock down the stump
  A circle with a diameter of 3 meters is set up, where all the warriors will fight. The use of violence is not permitted and the warrior who uses blows other than the “grab” will be disqualified. The champion will be the one who manages to force his opponent to knock down the stump. The winning team will be the one that manages to accumulate the greatest number of victories.
• Soccer
  The rules of football are the same as those applied in conventional football.
• Blowgun
  In possession of the blowpipe, the men will try to hit the target at a distance of 15 meters. The women will try to hit the target at a distance of 7 meters.