Brazil’s footballers arrived in Townsville to a welcome prepared by the people of the place they were visiting. Within hours, a short video of their reaction had become the story.
Several players appear to smile and cover their mouths while members of the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts perform a traditional welcome. The footage drew criticism from viewers who believed the players were laughing at the ceremony. It does not show what prompted their reaction, and the players’ intentions remain unclear.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, September 24, ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Australia. In its account of the team’s arrival, the Brazilian Football Confederation said the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts conducted a smoking ceremony to welcome the squad, offer blessings and wish them a good stay in the region.
That description makes the circulating clip uncomfortable to watch for many viewers: the performers were extending a welcome, while some of their guests appeared to be struggling to keep straight faces. The Nightly reported criticism from both Australian and Brazilian viewers. One Brazilian commenter quoted by the outlet said, “Sometimes it’s embarrassing to be Brazilian, honestly.”
What was the ceremony?
The Wulgurukaba Walkabouts performed the welcome after Brazil reached Townsville, known traditionally as Gurambilbarra. According to the Brazilian federation, the group is connected to Wulgurukaba Country, which also includes Yunbenun, or Magnetic Island.
A Welcome to Country is given by Traditional Owners, or by people they have authorised, to welcome visitors to their land. Reconciliation Australia says it can take the form of a speech, song, dance or smoking ceremony. The welcome is a cultural protocol, giving context to why the players’ visible reaction caused offence.
There is a limit to what the video can establish. It shows the players’ expressions during part of the performance; it does not establish what they were saying to one another or why they smiled. No verified explanation from the players or response from the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts was available at the time of writing.
Brazil’s visit continues
Brazil went on to draw 1–1 with Australia in Townsville on Friday. Nestory Irankunda put the Socceroos ahead before Rayan equalised for Brazil. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Brisbane on Tuesday, September 29.
The result has since shifted attention back to football. The footage from the welcome, however, has left a separate question for the Brazilian squad: how do they account for a moment that many of their hosts and supporters saw as disrespectful?
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