A Tradition Across Borders
The Quiotepec en Wisconsin basketball tournament, now in its second decade, gathers teams that trace their lineage to the indigenous communities of Oaxaca, Mexico, while also drawing fans from across the Midwest and as far as California.
This year, heightened immigration enforcement cast a shadow over the event, shrinking audiences and stirring anxiety among participants. Yet the players stepped onto the court with a quiet determination, emphasizing pride in their cultural roots.
Champions and Community
Among the competitors, the women’s squad Las Alebrijes, based in Madison, captured the championship after a hard‑fought final against Quitotepec Minnesota. The team was founded by Sherlyn Martinez Castillo and her sister Itzel, who chose the name inspired by the colorful mythical creatures that adorn Oaxacan workshops.
In the men’s bracket, Milwaukee’s Sierra Mixe claimed first place, underscoring how basketball has become a conduit for preserving indigenous identity in the Sierra Norte region of Mexico.