Capoeira
This picture shows a member of Abolicao Oxford Capoeira, a group formed in 1999 which now has a significant student membership.
The sport of Capoeira is probably best summed up as a combination of dance, rituals, acrobatics and fighting all set to music in a communal group.
This acrobatic martial art developed in sixteenth century Brazil amongst African slave communities, particularly from Angola and the Congo, and now forms the basis of a world-wide sporting and cultural community.
It is widely considered to have developed as a way for the African communities to assert their cultural identity, breaking the chains of slavery through music and movement.
The essence of Capoeira does not lie in combat - it is 'played' not 'fought'. The dance and acrobatic moves are used primarily to evade one's opponent, the moves morphing into a series of playful attacks and counter-attacks.
Cartwheels and handstands form the launching points for sweeping kicks and flips that flow into one another to complement the moves of the other player.
Creative expression is a key part of the sport, with players moving in harmony with traditional music played by the rest of the group who form a circle round the two players. Rhythms from drums and tambourines are interspersed with melody played on traditional Brazilian stringed instruments and the rest of the group join in with loud clapping.
For more information about capoeira within Oxford, visit www.abolicao.co.uk.
Sessions take place at the East Oxford Games Centre, off Cowley Road. Beginners sessions take place on Thursdays from 7 to 9pm, and on Saturdays from 11am to 12.30pm.
27th Jan 2005