Capoeira is a fusion of martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music & pure energy; blended together in the cultural melting pot that is Brazil. Records are few and at times discordant about exactly how Capoeira came to being in Brazil. However the generosity and spirit of Capoeira still resonates today in Sydney, half a world away from its beginnings.

The widely accepted story is that capoeira was born in the 16th Century, when the Portuguese arrived in Brazil bringing with them slaves from all corners of Africa. Those African people were forced into a life of slavery. With no other means of self defence & expression they combined together their techniques of martial arts and defence to form a very early version of Capoeira; their symbol of freedom. Music, dance and rituals were incorporated, helping disguise the practice of a deadly and forbidden art to appear to be a folk dance.

In 1888 when slavery was abolished, capoeira remained prohibited. Capoeira was practiced by the poor and by those living on the streets and was not accepted by wider society. In 1920, thanks to the dedicated work of Mestre Bimba the ban was lifted and Capoeira walked into the modern world. Mestre Bimba modernised capoeira and opened the first Capoeira academy; making it more accepted by Brazilian society and receiving recognition from the Brazilian Government. Another famed capoeirista is Mestre Pastinha; who worked to keep the traditions and roots of capoeira alive, through the music, poetry, theatre and artistry of his capoeira style.

Presently in Brazil capoeira is practiced as a national sport through all levels of society. Capoeira is constantly evolving with many variations in style and traditions within different groups; but remains always an expression of freedom and self.

Capoeira began as means of self defence for the poor and enslaved, even after the ban on Capoeira was lifted it has remained a vehicle to freedom to many lower-class people who would otherwise not have many life opportunities open to them. It is a tradition in Capoeira schools in Brazil to teach children from poor families for free to help keep them off the street and away from crime. This tradition along with the rich culture that is capoeira has made its way around the globe to Chippendale, Sydney.

Contra Mestre Borracha of the group Capoeira Aruanda has recently opened a new Capoeira Academy in Chippendale. With this personal achievement he has taken the opportunity to give back to the community through Capoeira; which has given him so much. His own story begins in Brazil, in the remote city of Rio Branco – Acre, close to the Amazon in North West Brazil.  Coming from a large and poor family; his parents initially discouraged his participation in Capoeira due to its historical links to crime and the lower-class. However Borracha loved acrobatics and the challenge of capoeira, he persisted and was taught for free by local capoeiristas. In the coming years he began to teach others, and was eventually able to earn a living from Capoeira with which he helped to support his parents and family. His talent in Capoeira opened up many opportunities for Borracha to be able to travel around Brazil and eventually to Australia where he now lives.

Borracha has been teaching Capoeira in and around Sydney for 12 years, in various community centres and schools. This year, the opening of his own academy represents a landmark for him in his journey in capoeira and with it the opportunity to give pass on the goodwill that was given to him in his youth.

Partnering with Youth off the Streets Borracha is teaching free workshops this term to students from Key College, a school for homeless young people in Redfern. He will continue these workshops next term with two other Youth off the Streets Schools. The gift of capoeira has come full circle. It gave Borracha the ability to shape his own life and to reach for goals he would never have dreamed of. It is his hope that he can pass that on to all students of Capoeira Aruanda. A capoeira group can be more than a sports group. Borracha is working to make Capoeira Aruanda a family; a place with positive energy for everyone who walks through the door.