Captivating photos from the Indigenous World Games in Brazil

The first World Indigenous Games were held in Palmas, Brazil, from October 23 to November 1.

Indigenous peoples from around the world compete in traditional and Western sporting events in Brazil.

Also billed as the Indigenous Olympics, the games include 2,000 athletes from a number of Brazilian tribes, as well as indigenous groups from countries like—the United States, Russia, New Zealand and Ethiopia.

The Games are the biggest thing ever to roll into the sleepy town of Palmas in the state of Tocantins.

Sporting events include some Western-style competitions like soccer, and many indigenous traditional games; some played competitively, and some played as demonstration events.

Throughout the nine days of competitions, however, there have also been protests about Brazil's treatment of its indigenous people.

Here are some of the most captivating moments from the first World Indigenous Games in Brazil…

Indigenous women from the Kamayura tribe take part in a demonstration of the Huka Huka fight at the first World Games for Indigenous Peoples in Palmas, Brazil. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

An indigenous woman carries a painted log during the opening ceremony. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Indigenous men from Terena tribe compete in a canoeing competition during the first World Games for Indigenous Peoples in Palmas, Brazil. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

An indigenous man takes photos of fireworks. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Maori men from New Zealand compete during a tug-of-war competition. //im.rediff.com/sports/2015/nov/03indi5.jpg

An indigenous woman participates in a parade called ‘International Indigenous Beauty’. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Indigenous people from the Kayapo tribe watch a soccer match. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters