Girl's Celebration

Chief Pedro Mãmãindê (who directed the proceedings and the shoot itself) describes the necessity of strengthening the girls of his village by secluding them after their first menses. After several months, the village throws a party, with singing, feasting, and the ritual abduction of the girl by an allied village. When the Nambiquara of Mato Grosso see videotape of themselves performing this ritual, the excess of Western clothing makes them uncomfortable. The ritual is then re-enacted with traditional body painting and adornment. Euphoric, they resolve to take up the lip- and nose-piercing of boys again in front of the camera, re-establishing a tradition abandoned for over 20 years.

Directed and recorded by Vincent Carelli; edited by Cleiton Capelossi.

In Portuguese with English subtitles.