Widening the circle, Capoeira in Jamaica

The NGO Capoeira Alafia takes the martial art that originated with Brazilian African slaves to the downtown and socially excluded communities in Kingston, Jamaica. Serving approximately 60 children from 5 year-olds to 25 year-olds, the six Capoeira instructors and one social worker see the art form as a tool for violence prevention: one that refines self control, widens social circles and helps awaken pride in African roots and comradeship.

“Since I first came to Jamaica in 2004 my goal has been to teach Capoeira as a form of anti-violence training and to promote peace and unity. Capoeira for me always has been a celebration of life and freedom and being confronted with Jamaica's daily violence naturally made me want to help make a difference,” said Dennis Eckart one of Capoeira Alafia’s three directors, along with Cristiane Garcia Pereira, Angelo dos Anjos Oliveira, from Brazil. Alafia is a Yoruba word with Arabic roots that means "The sum total of all that man may desire: An undisturbed harmonious life."

“Yoruba is one of many languages spoken by African slaves brought to Brazil as well as to Jamaica,” said Eckart, noting that to work in Jamaica with an Afro-Brazilian martial invented by African slaves struggling against slavery and oppression “has certainly a big significance. Many parallels exist between Jamaican and Brazilian culture, history and society based on the colonial and slave trade background of both countries.” By dipping into traditions that relate to a shared ancestry, Alafia’s team believe they have a tool to counter the divisive effects of social exclusion, racism and violence, both in families and those of youth gangs.

Eckhart  (left) goes further: “Reggae for example used to be a form of resistance against oppression, ideologically very similar to Capoeira, and is deeply rooted in Jamaican culture. The Jamaican Maroons movement also reminds on the Brazilian Quilombos and Zumbi dos Palmares, terms every conscious Capoeirista, or capoeira-player strongly relates to.”

The garrisons

There are no prerequisites to join Alafia, children and youths often hear of Alafia by word of mouth or after a capoeira show has been set up in the community. “After a period of training them in their respective neighborhoods during workshops/classes and open capoeira rodas, we are able to create a situation where students of different communities interact with each other in a peaceful, joyful and healthy way - playing capoeira with each other,” said Eckhart.

The violence he refers to comes in many forms, small arms fire from nightly shootouts in communities awash with guns and split into so-called garrisons, -ghettos or blocks controlled by gangs run by Dons and with political affiliations. There are retaliation killings, there are territorial boundaries that cannot be crossed. “Traditionally gang violence in Jamaica is politically motivated and based on the fact that each garrison/ghetto is associated to one of the two big political parties that exist in Jamaica, the PNP and the PLP,” said Eckhart.

Social exclusion: skin bleaching to look "brown", the temptation of guns

Capoeira’s African roots also address boundaries that split the community between white and brown, the lack of jobs for those living in “bad areas” or who are black. Many adult persons hardly leave their own community. The pressure is such according to the Alafia director, that many choose to bleach their skin with highly toxic pills and soaps, attempting to become "brown."

“The influence of the American culture is very strong and the dream of many Jamaicans is to go to the US, Canada or the UK. Capoeira here can be a way of showing Jamaicans how beautiful, strong and powerful African-influenced culture can be, and lead them to develop pride and consciousness of their own rich and diverse culture. The ease Jamaicans show in learning Capoeira and understanding the concept of the art is astonishing!” said co-director Christina Garcia Pereira (right), born in Brazil and living in Jamaica since 2006.

“Capoeira gives students something they can master regardless of their origin or formal education. They can compete with students from a rich background and love when they are taken on short trips, to the park or to shows, where they can demonstrate their skills and impress others,” said Eckhart.

Counseling, drawings and capoeira for children with special needs

According to Faith Saint Catherine, (left) counselor at Capoeira Alafia in New Haven, Kingston, who specializes in working with girls and women, the problem with violence goes deeper:

“There is a high level of violence in the community, and what has emerged from my interaction with clients is that traditional patterns of child rearing teach individuals to depend heavily on beating and shaming children.  There is much abuse and children are taught to resolve issues using aggressive methods.

It is a vicious circle, for St.Catherine, the cursing and shaming results in low self-esteem, an inability to handle relationships. Poor inter-personal relationships in turn lead to anger which leads to more violence. “Therefore we try to tackle the problems with a holistic approach,” she adds.

This comes out in dramatic evidence such as in the drawings made by children and youngsters in the EXpressions project when they drew their worst experiences with violence and their greatest dreams. One such student told of the day a police officers drank beer and smoked cigarettes near a dead body in the community of New Haven. (right)

More self control, less anger, less fear

The long and the short of it is, according to Eckhart: “Apart from keeping youngsters busy and away from the street, capoeira provides them with a positive peer group which encourages a non-violent lifestyle. Most importantly the training focuses on self-control. Students have to learn to control themselves physically in order to not hurt each other in the roda. This experience leads them to understand how to control emotions like anger and making them calmer and stronger.

As a result, he reports, students speak of relief from anger by simply attending class, and of being less fearful when walking down the street or going to school - knowing they could defend and themselves if necessary.

Alafia has plans to grow and such is their faith in the power of capoeira that they are introducing the martial art that is dance and music to children with special needs. For Alafia, the circle is a living, thriving community.

Read Further:

http://www.capoeira-alafia.org/