Feature

Bringing the world of capoeira to the peoples of the world

Bantus capoeira australia

This project was a series of capoeira and Afro-Brazilian culture workshops fro youth from refugee backgrounds. ; who have had a 'one off' experience of capoeira and Brazilian culture and would not otherwise have the opportunity to further develop their skills. The project took place in the Bantus Capoeira Australia Inc academy ( Wellington st Perth ) and at the Balga primary School.

These workshops will reflect one component of a much larger world scale project - The 1st World Capoeira Meet, the first of it's kind in Australia.

Capoeira is a healthy, fun, safe activity that is inclusive of others, it is a multi-dimensional, multi-cultural, activity that encourages participants o feel great about themselves. In doing these workshops our aim was to facilitate and nurture healthy, active, self determined individuals who feel included in a culturally diverse group that is recognised and accepted in mainstream society.

(Bantus Capoeira Aus inc.)

"A further outcome from this program has been amazing , as part of the "bringing the world of capoeira tot he peoples of the world" series of workshops, we decided to take capoeira to Balga primary School. We had been asked by one of the mum's (who had seen our promotional flyers for the project) if the program could encompass this group of young children all of whom come from refugee backgrounds. We spoke with the principal - Jean Blechynden- who was unbelievably enthusiastic and helpful.

We ran the workshops at the Primary school because the children were too young to travel to city by themselves... Parents also started coming to the workshops to talk about the links between the Afro - Brazilian art from and their own African traditions."

(Bantus Capoeira Aus. Inc.)

The main objectives for this project were:

• Facilitate Capoeira workshops for young people of refugee background
• Encourage social inclusion
• Promote tolerance, acceptance and respect for people of diverse cultures.

"We have been overwhelmed with the commitment from participants of the project both from Edmund Rice centre and Balga Primary School. The high school boys continue to make the journey into the academy for ongoing classes."

"[Capoeira ia a great artfrom for children of a refugee background to be involved in] it provides the opportunity to participate actively in the community.

It has also allowed the childrens talents to be rcognised ithin the school community, promoting cross cultural awareness and understanding. [this project] has provided the children with people who are positive role modls, who support and promote pride in their culture and heritage"

(one of the Workshop facilitors)