A dancing style called Capoeira folha Seca which originated in Brazil has just landed in Zimbabwe and is spreading across Africa like a veld fire.
It has so far reached Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia among other African countries.
According to two instructors of Capoeira dance Tendai “Joga” Ngirandi and Ed “forminga” Banda the dance which is fused by Portuguese songs was born out of slavery from people who were taken from the African continent to Brazil during the slave trade.
The duo said the dance was developed by Africans in the Brazilian continent in order to free themselves from captivity.
“The dance and songs which talks about slavery and freedom was depicted from the fight for freedom struggle that Africans went through when they were taken to Brazil as slaves during the slave trade era.
“People are invited by three instruments which are the Berimbau, roda and Pandeiro in a circle to display their Brazilian martial arts skills with no physical conduct,”said Tendai Ngirandi.
Berimbau is the main instrument while the Roda leads the pace of the music and lastly the pandeiro which creates an Indian soothing sound to make the dance more enticing and exciting.
Mr Ngirandi said they are currently working on an outreach programme to make awareness to the public of the new dance.
“We have a bigger group in Avondale and we are working on a massive outreach programme which will reach to many people in Zimbabwe.
“We are trying as much as we can to reach out to more people because the Capoeira dance is one the famous sport after soccer in Brazil,’ he Said.
Ed Banda a dreadlocked and soft spoken instructor said the dance helps to inculcate a spirit of discipline and respect in a individual.
“The dance is not only for fun but because of the message inside the music a spirit of discipline is developed in a person at the same time giving life skills.
He said they are planning to go international once they get funds. ‘We use Capoiera as a counselling tool and we have a manual to use when one wants to join the dancing group, we are planning to reach all corners of the world once we get sponsorship,”he said.
The group has curtain raised HIFA and collaborated with a group called Mavambo beside that they make time for children.
“We even visit children’s home and other art functions in Zimbabwe,’Banda said.
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