Brazil laughs during Aboriginal ritual in Australia

Brazil laughs at Townsville's Aboriginal welcome ritual

Can you demand solemnity from those who don't understand what they're seeing? Brazil's men's national team was recorded this week stifling laughter during a smoke ceremony with which a group of Australian Aborigines welcomed them in Townsville, shortly after landing to play two friendlies. There were children in the audience. The scene was described as "extremely disrespectful." On social media, it was called downright da repelús.

What peine in Townsville

The reception included traditional songs, smoke, and dance. Several footballers didn't hide their amusement. They laughed. The video spread, and with it came the reproach: laughing at your host is, for a large part of public opinion, an unnecessary snub.

Why some see disrespect and others an imposition

"Wouldn't you simply assume it's part of the local culture and limit yourself to observing it? Laughing is the lowest IQ response to something like that," summarizes one viewpoint. Opposing this, another equally firm stance: laughing at the unknown is human, and demanding mandatory devotion turns courtesy into catechism.

The criticism became contaminated along the way. Part of the reactions didn't focus on the gesture itself, but on the origin of the Brazilian players. The racism suffered by one of the team's most well-known footballers was also brought up, used here as a thrown weapon.

The score nobody expected

The sporting aspect crept in on its own: Brazil drew 1-1 with Australia, a result unthinkable in other times. And a question lingered over the bench: why isn't a team that boasts of its identity led by a Brazilian coach?

If laughing at a ritual is a crime, the 1-1 was no joke.