Brazilian martial art classes begin

ISLAMABAD:

Thirty people will get a chance to learn capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines music, wrestling, dance, rhythm and movement.

The classes will be conducted by Ammar Latif, who has been teaching capoeira for several years now. The preliminary class was held at the embassy on Tuesday.

Before the class, Brazilian ambassador Alfredo Leoni recalled the strong links that exist between African and Brazilian cultures. He said that the art, widely believed to be Brazilian, was in fact introduced by the descendants of African slaves in the 16th century.

The ambassador presented five adabas (training trousers) and berimbaus (traditional capoeira instrument) to the instructor, who showed some capoeira moves to the new students.

Latif said, “Capoeira encompasses a variety of styles of physical movements, musical expressions, singing and theatrics. It is also why we have such a wide diversity of people from all walks of life here today.”

The classes for adults will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm and on Sundays from 4pm to 6pm at the embassy. The classes for children will take place from 4pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 5pm to 7pm on Sundays.

There are no charges.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2012.