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| PROJECT BANTU |
| Project Bantu is a
Social Cultural intervention that introduces the
Brazilian art of Capoeira Angola to young people
from Aboriginal or refugee backgrounds. The project
combines the therapeutic potential of musical and
physical expression to produce a range of social
and learning outcomes, it also aims to empower young
people to support their ability to succeed and face
the challenges of life. |
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Young people from Aboriginal and refugee backgrounds have often experienced high levels of trauma.
Many have witnessed violence directly or indirectly through the experience of dispossession, conflict,
living in refugee camps or coming from dismantled families and fragmented communities. Trauma affects
a young person’s ability to concentrate and build trusting relationships with peers and people in authority,
such as teachers. Compounded with often high levels of energy and physicality, serious behavioural issues
can arise in the school and home. Disrupted or limited education means that for many young people, the
school environment is fraught with challenges. |
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Project Bantu, who originated in Brazil, has been adapted to fit the needs of young people from Aboriginal
or refugee backgrounds in Australia. Evaluation of the project found that young people who participated in
the project showed considerable improvement in their behavioural and social competence. Teachers
observed an increase in both classroom cooperation and individual self-esteem. Young people were also
found to be less likely to use elicit drugs or engage in criminal activities after participating in the project. |
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Through the process of learning all aspects of this enigmatic art, a dialogue is created whereby the student
is able to develop a more positive, self-controlled and holistic sense of self. Students learn how to perform
all the physical movements of Capoeira Angola, to sing the traditional songs, play the instruments necessary
to form the Orchestra of Capoeira Angola and make some of the instruments such as the Caxixi and
Berimbau. The Orchestra is an essential part of Capoeira Angola and together with the songs, conducts the
game itself. Classes also cover theoretical aspects of the game and include information about the history,
culture and traditions of Capoeira Angola, as well as exploring its historical and cultural origins |
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| PROJECT BANTU GOAL: |
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The overarching goal of Project Bantu is to contribute to the empowerment of young people from Aboriginal
and refugee backgrounds to support their ability to succeed and face the challenges of life.
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Objectives: |
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Through learning to master the musical and physical skills
required to play in a roda of Capoeira Angola (name given
to the game itself) the following objectives have been identified:
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1.Increase ability to work co-operatively in order to achieve a
common goal through the encouragement of teamwork.
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2.Increase, confidence and self-esteem through the mastery
of rhythm maintenance, physical agility, flexibility and self
-expression, and performing them in front of an audience.
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3.Increase interpersonal skills through understanding the range
of human emotions and their expression in the game.
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4.Improve control of emotion such as anger, through learning
constructive ways to express and deal with emotions.
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5.Increase sense of self-discipline and responsibility through the
recognition of the need for boundaries as part of an effective
group process.
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6.Increase sense of self worth through the recognition of tasks
well done and completed.
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7.Increase sense of awareness of self and others through group
membership and constructive input/output.
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8.Improve teacher-student relationships and increased school
attendance through recognition and respect of roles
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9.Increase cognitive skills through the development of the mental
strategies needed to compete with their opponents, as well as
through the mastery of rhythm maintenance and coordination
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10.Increase ability to deal with feelings of anger of injustice
through the raised awareness of the history and traditions
which underpin Capoeira Angola,
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