Festival of Indigenous Music

BELÉM DE SOLIMÕES, Brazil - The parish of St Francis of Assisi has organised the IV Annual Festival of Indigenous Music, to preserve and promote the culture of the Ticuna and Cocama Native Americans. Various communities inhabiting the region of the tributaries (“igarapés”) feeding the Amazon river took part in the celebrations. As well as performing songs and dances interpreting the many myths that are woven into the daily life of the indigenous peoples, there were competitions to select the champion warrior, a beauty contest and a football tournament. Overall champion this year was the Community of Ourique. Friars from other communities were also present: Br. Valzemar headed the “saucepan group”, Br. Paulo Silva e Br. Wilter were the jury, and the postulants helped out as best they could. This is a satisfying mission for the Capuchins of Belém, who are enriched through their daily life of brotherhood among the native peoples, discovering the wealth of the local culture, which they try to promote in every way and help the people themselves to promote and preserve these beautifully expressive forms. The Festival of Indigenous Music is one of the ways they use to evangelise the lives of the Ticuna and Cocama peoples of the Amazon.