Watch | Brazil celebrates unique World Indigenous Games

Indigenous groups from all over the world gathered in Palmas, Brazil, for the World Indigenous Games on Thursday evening to light up a torch carrying the “sacred fire.” The element of fire symbolises life, power and strength in the indigenous culture.

The ceremony included a performance by the famous Maori tribe of New Zealand as well as the Xavante tribe from Brazil.

The first edition of the games officially opens in Palmas on Friday and is expected to attract nearly 2,000 athletes from dozens of Brazilian ethnicities, as well as from far-flung nations such as Ethiopia and the Philippines.