Indigenous 'Olympics' in Brazil
Athletes from all over the world are gathered in Brazil for a sporting contest between indigenous peoples. The participants are set to compete in archery, tug-of-war, the spear throw and other traditional disciplines.
First Indigenous 'Olympics' in the city of Palmas
The organizers expect between 10,000 to 30,000 spectators a day for the 10-day event. In addition to participants from around the world, dozens of Brazilian peoples will compete. Discrimination and poverty are frequent hardships experienced by Brazil's indigenous tribes.
Ceremony of the sacred fire
Kuikuro tribespeople dance during the ceremony of the sacred fire of the World Indigenous Games. Tribes took turns dancing around the fire until dark Thursday, ahead of the official opening ceremony scheduled for Friday.
Soccer included, of course
Headdresses on the sidelines of a soccer pitch: Football is one of the event's more internationally mainstream sports.
The ethnic group Kuikuro
Indigenous people of several tribes watch a presentation by the Kuikuro, an indigenous group from the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. Their language is a part of the Carib linguistic family.
Indigenous people from around the world
About 1,800 competitors from 23 countries are expected to take part, with tribes coming from as far away as Ethiopia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Mongolia.
Manoti Indians from central Brazil
Members of the Manoti tribe light a torch from the sacred fire. This is the first time that Brazil has opened its traditional indigenous games to athletes from other countries.