Leetra / UFSCARKawã undergoes a ritual marking the transition from childhood to adulthoodLeetra / UFSCAR
Kawã na terra dos indígenas Maraguá (Kawã in the land of the Maraguá Indigenous people), a videogame for children and teachers of early childhood and primary education, offers a glimpse into Indigenous languages, myths, and traditions (see Pesquisa FAPESP issue n° 313). It is the latest release by the Leetra laboratory, led by Maria Silvia Cintra Martins of the Federal University of São Carlos. “Players encounter cultural elements typical of the traditional Maraguá culture and elements of the ghost stories told by this Indigenous Amazonian people. They also learn about aspects of the Maraguá’s current political struggle in defense of their lands,” Martins told Agência FAPESP. The game also explores rites that require feats of courage. “Kawã first goes through the Wakaripé ritual, which children undergo at around 10 years of age, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. Then, when they are 15, they face the much more challenging ritual of Gualipãg, which allows them to become a hunter-warrior-chief” (Agência FAPESP, article from January 5, and video from July 4).
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