The "Jaraguá Kunhangue Ouga'a" (The Jaraguá Women's Game) exhibition celebrates the soccer played by the Guarani Mbya women of the Jaraguá Indigenous Land in the northwest of São Paulo.
It underscores the significance of the game and spotlights the resilience of these female athletes, who are not only warriors on the soccer field but also defenders of the Guarani indigenous way of life in the metropolitan landscape of São Paulo.
We invite you to enter the exhibition by observing the rituals celebrated at the opy, the house of prayer. Learn about the ka'a (yerba mate) ritual that marks the passage to Ara Pyau, the New Season. And the presentation of the rituals performed by the kunhã karai kuery (praying women) is followed by the sporting rituals, when the women play soccer.
By hearing the players' stories, you can learn about the objects used by Guarani women and immerse yourself in the histories of the territory’s five women's soccer teams. Photographs, videos, objects, texts, and audio recordings demonstrate that Jaraguá's indigenous players are part of a vibrant present.
In a game characterized by more fun than rivalry, each player's rhythm on the pitch is respected—from the youngest to the elders, including pregnant women. The designs on the uniforms and body paint express identity and belonging.
Nevertheless, along with the distinct characteristics of Guarani soccer, similarities can be drawn with experiences commonly encountered in women's soccer, and they gain voice and visibility here. These include the competition for space on the field, the use of loose-fitting uniforms, and initially playing alongside male counterparts, among others.
The exhibition consists primarily of Guarani materials produced by village photographers and the players themselves and includes contributions from partners and allies.
All the materials were curated by players Lurdes Yva Poty and Roseane Reté and co-curated by Maíra Vaz Valente, an jurua (non-indigenous) artist ally.
"Jaraguá Kunhangue Ouga'a" is a tribute to the Guarani Mbya women's struggle, joy, and resistance.