Capoeira Asheville: Students travel to Brazil, experiential learning

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by jesse berg
on Tuesday, June 09, 2009

An Intensive Learning Experience

Six Capoeira Asheville students will be traveling to Brazil to study the traditional Afro-Brazilian Art of Capoeira Angola from its source. The dedicated capoeiristas will be leaving in July for the two and a half week capoeira immersion experience. The first stop will be Sao Paulo to participate in a global capoeira conference held by some of the most respected capoeira elders (Mestres). Following the initial capoeira conference, the Ashevillians will fly to Northern Brazil to the state of Bahia where they will have the opportunity to see more of the culture, history and masters of the traditional art form. One of these mestres (named Mestre Joao Pequeno and the Asheville group's "grandfather") is 90 years old and continues to practice the acrobatic art form, pass on traditional knowledge and lead performances.

Roots of the Art Form

The art of capoeira was initially created and practiced by Africans suffering under slavery in Brazil. Like the Afro-Brazilian population, capoeira has a past colored by discrimination and persecution; prior to the late 1930's the art form had been stigmatized and even outlawed by the Brazilian government, causing many capoeira practitioners (capoeiristas) to discontinue practicing their art. Today, the practice of capoeira has grown world-wide as a discipline which fosters health, community, creativity and even spirituality.

The local Capoeira Asheville group practices a traditional form of capoeira termed Capoeira Angola, honoring the art's African roots. The group views the upcoming trip to Brazil as an essential way of learning more about the art's traditions and history. "We are excited to have the privilege of meeting and training with such important capoeira elders who we call mestres," explains one group member "we have the responsibility to honor the tradition from which capoeira comes, and some of these masters are getting old... we need to ensure that the tradition and oral history of capoeira is preserved."

Cross-Cultural Enrichment

The experience will undoubtedly be unforgettable, and includes a week-long conference of intensive training, meeting with various Brazilian and non-Brazilian capoeira groups, and participating in an array of street performances. The group will be in the presence of such renowned capoeira masters as Joao Pequeno, Pe de Chumbo, Boca Rica, Bigodinho, Bigo, and Bahia.

However, the group's experience will not be limited to the country of Brazil. Stefan (the current Capoeira Asheville group leader) explains, "everything we learn in Brazil will be used to enrich our classes, performances and events... to enrich our community in Asheville, both the capoeira community and the general community."

This trip marks the first collective travel to Brazil for Capoeira Asheveille, but the group plans on holding these experiential learning trips once every two years for capoeira students interested in traveling to Brazil. Capoeira Asheville even will be raising money to offer scholarships to group members who show a strong drive to learn about the rich culture, history and context of Capoeira Angola.

For more information about the upcoming trip, capoeira classes offered in Asheville or performances visit:
www.capoeiraashevile.org

Contact:
(828)712-8671
stefan@steebodesign.com