On March 28, the Museu Histórico da Cidade in Gávea hosts Motirõ – Palavras da Mata, a free festival celebrating indigenous art, literature, and culture in urban Rio.
Indigenous voices at the heart of the city
The word motirõ comes from the Tupi language and means “collective work.” That spirit drives the entire event: bringing together indigenous writers, visual artists, storytellers, artisans, art educators, teachers, musicians, and graphic artists living in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate ancestral knowledge and expand space for indigenous literature in the city.
Free and open to all from 10 a.m., the festival brings representatives from ethnicities including Puri, Tupinambá, Xavante, Guajajara, Marajoara, Xakriabá, and Anambé. The program features storytelling, workshops, an art exhibition, a panel discussion, and poetic interventions throughout the day.
Key figures shaping the program
The festival is curated by Emiliana Marajoara, a writer, storyteller, and art educator. Other featured participants include Urutau Guajajara, an indigenous culture teacher, linguistics researcher, and leading voice in the indigenous rights movement in Rio; Daua Puri, a graduate in Rural Education from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and founder of the Museu da Cultura Puri; and Potyra Krikati, artisan, weaver, and indigenous activist.
“There is still a profound erasure of contemporary indigenous production. When we occupy a historic space in the city with our words, we are affirming that we are part of this history.” — Emiliana Marajoara, festival curator
Workshops, literature, and art for all ages
Open workshops include Making Maracas from Gourds, Tree Sounds with Bamboo, a workshop using seeds and natural elements, and a creative reuse workshop with materials like CDs. The Pé de Livros (Book Tree) reading project and an exhibition of indigenous artworks round out the schedule.
For children, there will be guided reading sessions and poetic interventions connecting indigenous graphic art, body, and narrative. The programming welcomes children, youth, educators, and families — making it a genuinely intergenerational gathering.
A conversation about indigenous literature in schools
The panel discussion will address the place of indigenous literature in Brazilian schools and the challenges of nurturing young readers through native storytelling traditions. More than a cultural event, Motirõ stands as a direct response to the historic erasure of indigenous culture from urban spaces — affirming that native peoples continue to create art, thought, and literature today.
Event Info
Event: Motirõ – Palavras da Mata Festival
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: From 10 a.m.
Venue: Museu Histórico da Cidade — Gávea, Rio de Janeiro
Admission: Free
Photo: Press Release
