An man carries a painted log during the opening ceremony of the "Indigenous Games." Nearly 2,000 delegates representing first peoples from across the globe came to Palmas, the capital of Tocantins state, in central Brazil.
An man carries a painted log during the opening ceremony of the "Indigenous Games." Nearly 2,000 delegates representing first peoples from across the globe came to Palmas, the capital of Tocantins state, in central Brazil.
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Parisi people from Brazil perform at the opening ceremony of the World Indigenous Games on October 23.
Parisi people from Brazil perform at the opening ceremony of the World Indigenous Games on October 23.
Eraldo Peres/AP
Indigenous men compete in the Palmas stadium, part of nine days of traditional sports, dance, trade and culture.
Indigenous men compete in the Palmas stadium, part of nine days of traditional sports, dance, trade and culture.
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A Maori man of New Zealand, wearing straw hat, smiles at a group of Brazilian indigenous people as they wait to take part in the archery competition.
A Maori man of New Zealand, wearing straw hat, smiles at a group of Brazilian indigenous people as they wait to take part in the archery competition.
Eraldo Peres/AP
Indigenous women take part in a beauty contest.
Indigenous women take part in a beauty contest.
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An indigenous woman poses during the beauty contest on the first day of the Games.
An indigenous woman poses during the beauty contest on the first day of the Games.
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Indigenous women watch the action. The games featuring traditional contests from all over the world come less than a year before Rio de Janeiro hosts the 2016 Olympics.
Indigenous women watch the action. The games featuring traditional contests from all over the world come less than a year before Rio de Janeiro hosts the 2016 Olympics.
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Some sports are similar to their Olympic counterparts. Mongolian indigenous women take part in an archery demonstration during the first day of competition on October 24.
Some sports are similar to their Olympic counterparts. Mongolian indigenous women take part in an archery demonstration during the first day of competition on October 24.
Eraldo Peres/AP
Some of the contests are unique. A Brazilian Xavante man carries a log in a race during the first day of competition on October 24.
Some of the contests are unique. A Brazilian Xavante man carries a log in a race during the first day of competition on October 24.
Eraldo Peres/AP
Unlike the Olympics, most indigenous competitions do not have a referee. A javelin thrower competes on October 25.
Unlike the Olympics, most indigenous competitions do not have a referee. A javelin thrower competes on October 25.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Brazilian indigenous children play on the sidelines.
Brazilian indigenous children play on the sidelines.
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Away from the competition, two Brazilian indigenous men stand in the Rio Tocantins.
Away from the competition, two Brazilian indigenous men stand in the Rio Tocantins.
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A Bororo man from Brazil attends the games. Canada has been announced as host of the second Indigenous Games in 2017.
A Bororo man from Brazil attends the games. Canada has been announced as host of the second Indigenous Games in 2017.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
An indigenous man from the Paresi tribe in Brazil tries to head the ball during the Jikunahati competition, a form of soccer played with one's head.
An indigenous man from the Paresi tribe in Brazil tries to head the ball during the Jikunahati competition, a form of soccer played with one's head.
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An indigenous archer takes aim.
An indigenous archer takes aim.
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Indigenous men from Brazil's Xerente tribe watch the competition. The heat meant many events were staged during the evening.
Indigenous men from Brazil's Xerente tribe watch the competition. The heat meant many events were staged during the evening.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
People from various ethnic groups run at the start of the men's swimming event.
People from various ethnic groups run at the start of the men's swimming event.
Eraldo Peres/AP
Bororo men take part in the tug-of-war on October 31, the final day of competition.
Bororo men take part in the tug-of-war on October 31, the final day of competition.
Eraldo Peres/AP
The medal for the canoe event.
The medal for the canoe event.
Eraldo Peres/AP
An Native American man from the U.S. takes part in the closing ceremony. Many hope the Palmas event has sparked a new tradition.
An Native American man from the U.S. takes part in the closing ceremony. Many hope the Palmas event has sparked a new tradition.
Eraldo Peres/AP