5 fascinating and unmissable Indigenous cultural celebrations around the world

One of the most wonderful and enriching ways to get to know a place is by seeking out its history – and there's no one more suited to sharing the heritage of a place, than the people who have lived there for generations, centuries, perhaps even thousands of years.

Spending time with native inhabitants, experiencing indigenous traditions first-hand and listening to age-old storytelling can offer a complex, sometimes challenging, perspective of a destination. However, it's often such perspective that strips away surface level interactions for something deeper and more engaging. For native populations, meanwhile, maintaining and nurturing their heritage in a modern world isn't always easy. One way to do so, however, is by coming together; to share stories, food, artistry and know-how that has been passed down through generations.

There are indigenous cultural celebrations that welcome visitors to watch, listen and enjoy the pageantry – while also learning about the traditions and customs unique to that community. An enlightening experience packed with context and colour, these are occasions not to be missed... 

Where: Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

When: February

Rooted in legend, Tapati is the modern adaptation of the ancient Birdman contest of Rapa Nui, where warriors would race down a cliff before swimming two kilometres out to an islet in order to unearth the egg of a sacred nesting seabird, the Sooty Tern. The winning warrior would return with the egg intact, and his clan would rule the island.  

Today, the challenges certainly have a little less at stake, however there is a community ‘queen’ and ‘king’ crowned at the end of the four-day festival. These days, the Haka Pei is perhaps the most iconic contest. During the challenge, the soon-to-be crowned Tapati ‘queen’ must race down the 300-metre Orango volcano, on a homemade sled, crafted from two banana tree-trunks. Her ‘king’ remains at the helm. The ‘sled’ reaches speeds of up to 50mph. In the Haka Nagaru, male clan members take to the sea on bark body boards to show endurance and fitness in a surf competition – wearing nothing more than a cup to protect their sensitive areas.

In the town of Hanga Roa, the celebrations continue to the scent of hot empanadas. Residents paint their skin in ‘Ki-ea’, an ochre-coloured earth pigment, and speckled black rooster-feather headdresses dot the crown. For the closing performance, women in coconut shells and skirts made of tree bark dance, while men Haka in a barely-there loincloth. And the best part? Everyone is welcome to join in.

Where: Oaxaca, Mexico

When: July

An estimated 16 Indigenous ethnic groups, alongside the Afro-Mexican community, come together in this people’s parade in Oaxaca to celebrate the diverse traditions and heritage that makes up Mexican life today.

However, the history of Guelaguetza has involved much evolution. Originally, it’s believed the festival paid homage to Chicomecóatl, the corn goddess. However, once the Aztecs conquered the region, the festival was changed to celebrate Centeotl, the Aztec goddess of corn. When colonisation took place, led by the Spanish and Catholic Church, the festival was expanded again to include elements of Christianity.

Today, many of the varying communities spend weeks designing and preparing clothing and accessories that represent their own ancestral dress and culture, while music and dances tell stories of past traditions. Until 2022, parade participants were controversially chosen through a select committee - meaning not every group took part. This year, new governance has meant entry requirements have undergone a change, and an even more diverse range of ethnic groups were invited to showcase their culture.

Where: Northern Territory, Australia

When: August

The four-day Garma Festival is Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, celebrating the life and culture of the Yolngu people. Held annually in northeast Arnhem Land and hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma brings together families and communities from the region to provide an environment where traditional Yolngu knowledge and customs can be shared. Song (‘manikay’), dance (‘bunggul’), art exhibits (‘Miny’tji’) and storytelling dominate the schedule, allowing both young and old to learn, share and celebrate this ancient and very special culture.

You may also like: Alternatively, Perth’s brand new festival, taking place from 4-9 October, will welcome travellers to celebrate the Aboriginal season of Kambarang, with storytelling – depicted through light shows (Boorna Waanginy) – and live performances taking centre stage.

Where? Vancouver, Canada

When? February/March

Marking the beginning of a new harvest season, which is indicated by the emergence of the first crescent moon, the Hoobiyee celebration brings the Nisga'a community of Vancouver the opportunity to showcase its heritage, passing on the knowledge of older generations to younger ones. The season is usually marked by the arrival of saak, a breed of oolichan fish, into local waters. A traditionally staple food of the Nisga'a, the crescent moon also signifies a turn in the season that will bring more abundant salmon, berries and other traditional foods of the ancestors. The event, which draws thousands of Indigenous people from various tribes across the region, is ed by the Nisga’a people and includes the raising of the totem pole, dancing and even singing the Nisga'a dialect.

Where? Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

When? April

Launched in 1983, by the Dean of Students and Club Activities at the University of Albuquerque, Derek Matthews, the Gathering of Nations has been an impressively successful word-of-mouth affair. At the time, the event was intended as a local powwow for the many Albuquerque Native American students, a place where native people could join together once a year, to share and celebrate their culture. Over 40 years on, the Gathering of Nations has evolved into the biggest cultural heritage celebration in North America, bringing more than 700 Native American tribes, from across the USA and Canada, attend.

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