Documentary series spotlights Indigenous culture in Argentina and Madagascar

A new series of short documentaries is bringing global Indigenous traditions to the screen, with filmmakers capturing significant cultural practices in the northern highlands of Argentina and the central mountains of Madagascar. The films are part of week eight of ABC iview’s Race Around the World competition, which challenges participants to produce a story within 10 days of arriving at a surprise destination. Filmmaker Mikaela Zuiderduyn travelied to Northern Argentina to produce a film titled La Pachamama. The documentary explores how Indigenous culture remains grounded in gratitude for the Earth, expressing this through mountain landscapes, family rituals, and traditional arts. According to the ABC, the project highlights the ongoing presence of Pachamama—a deity representing the earth and time—within the local community’s modern way of life. Simultaneously, William He documented the centuries-old traditions of the Betsileo people in the central highlands of Madagascar. His film, Savika, focuses on a traditional form of bullfighting. For the Betsileo, the practice serves as a vital rite of passage for men to prove their strength while demonstrating their dedication to caring for their livestock. Both films were featured on Sunday 26 July 2026 as part of a global wrap-up of the contestants' progress. The filmmakers, who only receive one day’s notice of their next destination, are now moving on to new locations. Ms Zuiderduyn is scheduled to travel to Canada, while Mr He is bound for Türkiye. These short films offer a brief but significant look into how Indigenous heritage continues to shape identity and community resilience across different continents.