Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that would have its roots in the fighting techniques and the dance of the African peoples of the time of slavery in Brazil. It differs from other martial arts by its playful and often acrobatic side. The feet are very widely used during the fight although other parts of the body can be used such as, mainly, the hands, head, knees and elbows. “Players” can take a stand or balance on their hands to kick or stunt. In various forms, capoeira is played and/or fought at different levels of the ground and at different speeds, usually accompanied by instruments, songs and hand strikes.

Duration of the workshop: 1 hour

For Who? Children – Adolescents

Host: Akram

Akram has specialized in capoeira and percussion for 15 years. He is part of the NEK-IN association which brings together many artists and animators who each develop their own style. They traveled all over Belgium to give performances and events through the artistic disciplines they master and which they wish to offer to the Belgian population.

Graduado enguia : Akram aka “Graduado Enguia” is a multi-disciplinary sportsman. When he was young, at the age of six, he began practicing martial arts such as Taekwondo. A year later, he turned to the trend of the years 90, the Hip-hop where he discovered urban dance, which allowed him to develop his artistic skills for almost 4 years. Brewed in this cultural and sporting mix, he discovers Capoeira and Brazilian percussion in 1996 that perfectly match his identity. Currently Azul-verde (blue-green) in the Federation Abada-Capoeira, he continues to practice and evolve regularly. In parallel, he practiced other martial arts, Thai boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, CrossFit. His travels during competitions or internships in Europe, Africa and North and South America allowed him to have an open look at the outside world.

• Akram started capoeira in the years 1997-1998, with fairly advanced training – 7 times a week.
• His first internship was in Brazil in 1999 and observer of the biggest world competition which took place in Rio.
• In 2002, he participated in a competition in Belgium where he reached the final and then finished second.
• From 2000 to 2010, he opened several gyms with his group in Belgium and even in Luxembourg to launch capoeira lessons.
• From 2007 to 2009: capoeira and percussion course in Morocco (Rabat).
• From 2005 to 2010: He gave capoeira lessons in Jette (fire gym)
• From 2006 to 2008: He participated in European competitions.
• In 2010: capoeira course in the USA (New York)
• Since these beginnings, he has given capoeira and percussion workshops in youth and neighborhood centers. And for several years now, he has been giving extra-curricular courses for schools and in a room in Laeken.

Workshop content and pedagogical approach:
Acrobatics is understood to mean the “florais” of capoeira, those elements of the game which add aesthetics and techniques. These are traditional movements.

Trainers train young people in the various basic techniques of capoeira in particular in the following figures:
Aù – La roue
Aù sem Mao – sans les mains
Aù cabeça – avec la tête
Aù Batido – une main par terre et le pied dans les bras
Macaco
Macaquinho
Corta-Capim
Roda piao – Piao de mao
Le pont – Ponte
S-Dobrado
Chuto da lùa – Coup de pied à la lune
Salto mortal – Salto arrière

The figures will first be taught separately. When they are mastered they can be chained in more complex sequences.
These apprenticeships are subject to individual and collective follow-up by 2 teachers. The figure is first shown in its details by the teacher.

It is then repeated individually by the students and the teachers correct them individually. Finally, the figures are presented in turn in the circle of participants with the encouragement of each.

From a certain degree of technical mastery, children are invited to develop their own choreography according to their preferences and aptitudes.