HETOHOKỸ - Part 2: THE CELEBRATION

The Iny people’s Big House festival

Tòò pole being raised up by men. (2010-03-13) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

When the beginning of the Hetohokỹ  festivities is near, under the command of the ceremonial chief Irydu, the men in the village gather to raise the huge toò pole in the center of the men's ground.

Ijoina - men's patio (2010-03-09) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

When the beginning of the festivities is near, under the command of the ceremonial chief Irydu, the men in the village gather to raise the huge toò pole in the center of the men's grounds.     

Iolò Wajurema - great ceremonial chief. (2011-03-11) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

The ceremonial chief, the iolò Irydu, commands the men to get together and build the Hetohokỹ - the Great House.

Men building up Hetohokỹ - the Big House. (2011-03-11) by Mariana MaiaMuseu do Índio

Under the command of the ceremonial chief, the men in the village get together and build up the Hetohokỹ - the Great House.

A jyrè boy being adorned for the Hetohokỹ cerenomy. (2010-03-20) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

Meanwhile, the jyrè are prepared by their mothers, aunts and grandmothers to look their best on the day of their presentation and entry into the Hetohokỹ.

Karajá boys (2010) by Chang Whan MaiaMuseu do Índio

Painted and adorned jyrè boys awaiting for the beginning of the Hetohokỹ festivities and rites in the Hawalò  village.

Worsỹ Wenona, Btõiry village´s beautiful Iny ghosts. (2011-03-12) by Mariana MaiaMuseu do Índio

Singing and dancing, the beautiful ghosts worsỹ parade the village, announcing the beginning of the Hetohokỹ rites.

Worsỹ Wenona, Btõiry village´s beautiful Iny ghosts, . (2011-03-12) by Mariana MaiaMuseu do Índio

After touring the village the worsỹ wenona gather in the the men’s grounds.

Hosts await for the guests arrival. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

In great excitement the hosts await for the arrival of the guests from other villages.

Hosts dance at guests' reception. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

Hosts sing and dance to welcome visitors.

Arrival of Iny ghosts on the Araguaia river. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

From the Berohokỹ, the great water, as the Iny call the Araguaia River, the visitors from nearby villages arrive cheerfully to take part in the festivities.

Ferry Boat arrival of the beautiful Iny ghosts from Btõiry village to Hãwalò village. (2010-03-20) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

Friends and relatives from nearby villages are very excited as they arrive to attend the big event.

Guests dance and sing for the hosts. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

Visitors sing and dance in return to welcoming hosts.

Ijesu wrestling. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

Visitors and hosts proceed to the men's grounds, where  they challenge one another for the ijesu wrestling. The goal is to knock the opponents down to the ground. The whole atmosphere is quite lively and cheerful.

The Tòò dispute. (2011-03-12) by Chang WhanMuseu do Índio

The confrontations of visitors and hosts continue as the men now target the great toò pole. While visitors try to overthrow the toò at all costs, the hosts do everything they can to prevent them. The rowdy dispute goes on into the night.

Credits: Story

Museu do Índio - MI
Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas - FUNAI
Ministério dos Povos Indígenas - MPI

Indigenous Languages and Cultures Documentation Project -  914BRZ4019 / UNESCO
Karajá / Iny Culture Documentation Subproject

Research, curation, photography, videos and texts
Chang Whan
 
Virtual exhibition assembly
Coordenação de Patrimônio Cultural - COPAC/Museu do Índio
Serviço de Gabinete - SEGAB/Museu do Índio

2023. All rights reserved.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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