BACKGROUND INFO

CAPOEIRA

Capoeira is fight within a dance, a ritual of resistance created in the 18th century by African slaves in Brazil. The music of Capoeira draws on the history and religions of Africa - an expression of physical and spiritual survival.

The two main styles of Capoeira are Regional and Angola. Capoeira Angola is the practice that connects the two main characters of our story; adoptive father and son, Master Virgilio and Master Roxinho.

1st INT. ENCOUNTER OF CAPOEIRA ANGOLA IN AUSTRALIA

Organized by Mestre Roxinho, the event received Master Virgilio as a special guest. Mestre Virgilio came from Bahia, Brazil, with his 54 years of Capoeira Angola knowledge and practice to support his son 's work.

The intention of the event was to develop the practice of Capoeira Angola in Australia and to bring recognition to his father's lineage of Capoeira Angola in Brazil. The five days were divided into classes of movement together with music training, and history lectures on Capoeira Angola and its Afro-Brazilian traditions.

The event also intended to give strength to the Bantú Project by having the participation of young refugees from East Timor who were trained through the Project.

BANTÚ PROJECT

In Australia, the project will introduce Capoeira Angola to young African refugees. They have often experienced high levels of trauma and have either witnessed violence directly or indirectly through the experience of war and living in refugee camps. This compounded by large disruptions in their education means that settling into the new school environment in Australia is often fraught with challenges. It is also known that trauma affects a young person’s ability to concentrate and build trusting relationships with peers and people in authority, such as teachers. Together with often-high energy levels means that serious behavioural issues often arise at school and at home.

In Brazil the project will take Capoeira Angola back to its place of birth, the poor villages of Bahia state in Brazil. It will focus on teaching the old tradition to young kids at-risk and to encourage young players to re-start a relationship with old Masters and continue the tradition. The project also intents connect Australian Capoeira students with the old Masters so that they can take their learnings back to Australia.

This project is an intervention, which attempts to combine the therapeutic potential of musical and physical expression with a range of social learning outcomes, including emotional control, improved relationships, increased self-esteem and cultural connection.