MARICA, Brazil - The first fully Indigenous professional soccer team to compete in an official championship in Rio de Janeiro state made its debut this week, using the pitch as a platform to fight prejudice and defend Indigenous rights.
Originarios, composed entirely of players from Indigenous communities across Brazil, is not just about winning games. Club president Tupa Nunes, chief of the Mata Verde Bonita village, said the goal is visibility. "To give visibility to a people who suffer greatly, directly defending their land," he explained.
Indigenous people make up 0.8% of Brazil's population but are disproportionately affected by violence, with hundreds killed each year in land disputes.
Head coach Huberlan Silva scouted talent from Indigenous communities across the country, including deep in the Amazon rainforest. "Wherever I know there was an Indigenous community, I call to find out where there is hidden talent," Silva said.
Forward Edilson Karai Mirim uses body paint to showcase Guarani culture during matches. "It means a lot to me because it represents my people and my history," he said.
Nunes hopes Originarios will eventually feed players into top Brazilian clubs like Flamengo and Botafogo, European teams, and even the national team.