The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), from the Leetra laboratory, produced and launched a video game designed to introduce the culture of indigenous peoples to elementary school students.
The 2D platform game is called Eli and the Fall of Heaven in Yanomami Territory and its protagonist is a boy who must face evil beings to save the Amazon Rainforest.
The work was inspired by the book The Fall of Heaven: Words of a Yanomami Shaman, by Davi Kopenawa and Bruce Albert, however, it presents several original elements, such as the protagonist himself.
The game is part of a project coordinated by the professor from the Department of Literature at UFSCar, Maria Silvia Cintra Martins, who seeks to meet an old demand from early childhood education teachers for more educational materials focused on indigenous history. Before the game’s release, two other games were published: Jeriguigui and O Jaguar na Terra dos Bororos e Kawã.
Tool
Since 2008, the study of indigenous history and culture has been mandatory in primary and secondary education systems across the country, but the tools are limited.
“As a trainer of early childhood education teachers, I know the demand from teachers for subsidy material so that they can, in fact, comply with the law”, points out Maria Silvia.
The project coordinator carried out extensive bibliographical research to respectfully represent the Yanomami culture. “I did a lot of research online, looking for geographic, historical, political and cultural elements about the Yanomami people.”
The characters that appear in the game were created with different elements inspired by Anomami culture. The protagonist of the story, Eli, who does not exist in the original story, has shamanic traits and accessories typical of the indigenous community represented.
A girl shaman was also created in the game, after Martins felt that there was a lack of a female figure in the narrative. Lia appears in the final moments of the game to support Eli in the final confrontation.
“Talking to an engineer, I told him: wow, I think we’re failing. At this moment, the active female force is so important. After all, there are female shamans too. So, that’s why we created Lia,” explains Martins.
As it is a children’s game, the design of the characters and scenarios were designed in a light way, with flashy and vibrant colors. The game’s illustrator, Hugo Cestari, pointed out that indigenous stories often contain sinister themes, so he sought to soften the look.
“The characters have a friendly appearance. Even the villains have a friendlier appearance. So, we did everything with children in mind and to represent indigenous culture, but always with an air of fun, of learning,” said Cestari.
Eli and the Fall of Heaven in Yanomami territory can be accessed downloaded for free .
*Intern at Agência Brasil under the supervision of Odair Braz Junior
