Abstract
Capoeira, the Brazilian dance and martial art is now globalised and taught widely outside Brazil. Instruction is provided by Brazilians who are living in self-imposed exile from their homeland. The authentic capoeira that such teachers provide is a major attraction for non-Brazilian students. However, there is little research available on the motivations and strategies of overseas capoeira instructors. Building on a long term ethnographic study, this paper showcases the goals and strategies of one successful Brazilian teacher, from the Beribazu Group of Capoeira, working in the UK. This teacher reflects upon his four interlocking aims for his students and the strategies for achieving them. They should develop social cohesion, appreciate Brazilian culture, play good capoeira and learn to move their bodies acrobatically, flexibly and beautifully. Two sociologists embed the teacher's perspective on his work in an analytic framework derived from Bourdieu.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 103-120 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Sport, education and society |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2010 |
Keywords
- Brazilian culture
- Capoeira
- Embodiment
- Flexibility
- Habitus
- Social cohesion
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Education
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation