BRAZIL – Indigenous women in the Brazilian capital Brasilia showed off their creations during a fashion event as part of the third Indigenous Women’s March to demand women’s rights and the demarcation of indigenous territories.
Under a giant white tent, models in traditional headdresses, necklaces and costumes strutted down a walkway lined with green foliage to the cheers of a few hundred onlookers, many of whom had their phones ready to share the event on social media.
Kajina Maneira da Costa, from the village of Nukini in Acre state, near the border with Peru, said she was nervous before going on stage but was proud to represent her people.
“There are still a lot of prejudices. “It’s not normal to see an indigenous fashion show,” said the 19-year-old.
Célia
“Today we showed the power of our creation in clothing… our headdress and our lineage. We participate in politics when we sing and march,” Xakriabá later added in a post on Instagram.
Xakriabá was elected in elections last October, at the same time as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
Since taking office in January, Lula has paid significantly more attention to the demands of indigenous peoples than his predecessor. Bolsonaro rejected indigenous rights, refused to expand indigenous territories and had a history of making statements that critics described as racist.
Lula’s third consecutive term saw the demarcation of eight indigenous territories and the creation of the country’s first ministry for indigenous peoples, led by indigenous Sonia Guajajara.
Indigenous women are increasingly at the center of Brazil’s political scene and even within their communities. The third Indigenous Women’s March, held September 11-13, is a testament to their growing movement.
“Indigenous men had visibility, but now women are also contributing their strength to defend their territory,” said Ana Paula da Silva, a researcher in the Indigenous Peoples Studies Program at the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
“They are marching to say: ‘We are here and it is no longer possible to continue to ignore us,'” he added.
___
Hughes reported in Rio de Janeiro.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.