In the past our food was healthy. It was derived from nature, things like yams, cassavas, peanuts, bananas, papayas, roasted fish, native birds, and others.
The more we made contact with non-indigenous people, the greater was the change in our diet. With this there was damage, diseases such as measles, diabetes, cancer and obesity.
In the past, we didn't know about football. At that time our main sport was archery.
Through contact with non-indigenous people we discovered that football is a very cool sport. Nowadays, children want to be professional footballers. They want to appear in public. The Suruí people hold a championship in order to bring joy to our people.
In practicing football, we began using other gear in order to play, like boots, balls, uniforms, and others.
For the Paiter Suruí, the sport has improved the quality of our lives, preventing diseases. But we must admit that contact with non-indigenous people has a negative side, such as the invasion of our territory and deforestation. However, it has also brought some good things, like technology.
Our father always tells my brother and I that we cannot escape from our culture, custom and tradition. Therefore our identity is very important. We live in a daily struggle, seeking our rights.
Edited: Andru Shively (VUB)