About Project Bantu
Project Bantu originated
in Brazil and has been adapted to fit the Australian
context. At its core, it is about introducing the
Brazilian art of Capoeira Angola to young people of all
ethnic backgrounds in Australia, but also recognising
that it will have an especially powerful resonance with
young people from African descent who have come to
Australia as Humanitarian Entrants.
In
Brazil, it was noted that young people who participated
in the project showed a considerable improvement in
their behavioural and social competence. Teachers also
observed notable changes in both classroom cooperation
and self-esteem. It is widely recognised that students
that exhibit anti-social behaviour at schools are at
greater risk of dependent drug use and other
participating in other socially deviant behaviour as
adults. Research showed that young people who completed
the programme were less likely to go on to use elicit
drugs or get involved in criminal activities.
Project Bantu
~ Australia
The ‘Bantu Capoeira
Angola’ Project is an intervention, which attempts to
combine the therapeutic potential of musical and
physical expression with a range of social learning
outcomes, including emotional control, improved
relationships and increased self-esteem.
The ‘Bantu Capoeira
Angola’ Project is an intervention, which attempts to
combine the therapeutic potential of musical and
physical expression with a range of social learning
outcomes, including emotional control, improved
relationships and increased self-esteem.
Young people from refugee backgrounds, have often
experienced high levels of trauma and have either
witnessed violence directly or indirectly through the
experience of war and living in refugee camps. This
compounded by large disruptions and breaks in their
education means that settling into the new school
environment in Australia is often fraught with
challenges. It is also known that trauma affects a young
person’s ability to concentrate and build trusting
relationships with peers and people in authority, such
as teachers. Together with often high energy levels and
physicality means that serious behavioural issues often
arise at school and at home.
Through the process of
learning all aspects of this enigmatic art; the music,
the songs, the history, the culture and the physical
form itself, a dialogue is created between teacher and
student whereby the student is able to develop a more
positive, self-controlled and holistic sense of self.
Students learn all the physical movements of Capoeira
Angola, as well as learn how to play all the instruments
necessary to form the Orchestra of Capoeira Angola. The
Orchestra is an essential part of Capoeira Angola and
together with the songs, conducts the game itself.
Without the orchestra there is no game.
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 connections to Africa.
Capoeira Angola
Capoeira Angola is an African-Brazilian art form - a fluid rhythmic martial art; a ritual; a dance of deceptive vulnerability, wit, and grace.
The intricate movements of Capoeira Angola weave African tradition, history, spirituality, and philosophy into a uniquely beautiful "game". Like many African based traditions, it is orally transmitted from masters to students.
While the Bantu origins of Capoeira (called N'golo) were relatively peaceful, early forms of Capoeira Angola were used by enslaved Africans in Brazil to combat the colonial oppression of Portuguese rulers. Its practitioners used the art as a weapon of resistance during revolts and in defense of the Quilombos -- communities/nations of formerly enslaved Africans.
The use of Capoeira was outlawed by the Portuguese and for almost 400 years it was practiced only in secret. Not until the 1930's was it made leagal to teach and practice Capoeira Angola. It survivies because of the wisdom and dedication of a handful of mestres.
Played in a circle, the roda (game) of Capoeira Angola is an infinitely varied combination of movements, a mix of acrobatics, choreographed rituals, and dance: humor and seriousness, fun and struggle are entwined in a metaphor of motion and flourished pauses.
CAPOEIRA ANGOLA & PROJECT BANTU
Through learning to master the musical and physical
skills required to play in a Roda of Capoeira Angola
Roda (name given to the game itself) the following
outcomes have been identified:
• Through the encouragement of team work students
will learn the value of working cooperatively to
acheive a common goal. These skills will be
transferable to other group activities in both
school and curricular and social contexts.
• Increased self discipline, confidence and self
esteem through the mastery of rhythm maintenance,
physical agility, flexibility and self expression (
students learn to play a range of traditional
musical instruments, sing the traditional songs and
learn to perform the basic movements of the
dance/fight).
• Improved understanding of the range of human
emotions and their expression through the game in
ways which enhance their personal relationships with
others.
• Improved self esteem and confidence through
performing their new skills in front of an audience
• Recognition of the need for boundaries as part of
an effective group process.
• Recognition of the rewards for tasks well done and
completed.
• Increased sense of awareness of self and others
through the rewards of group membership and
constructive input/output.
• Improved teacher-student relationships and
increased school attendance.
• Increased cognitive skills through the development
of the mental strategies needed to compete with
their opponents.
• Raised awareness of the history and traditions
which underpin Capoeira Angolas a cultural
manifestation originating from Africa.
Working with the students on the physical cognitive
and emotional level it is possible to observe the
students’ development and integration in all of
these three areas