Grupo Axé Capoeira

The Axé Capoeira group, which first emerged in Recife in north-east Brazil, is one of the oldest and most established Capoeira organisations in the world. Mestre Barrão first began teaching Capoeira here to a group of street children, and over the years the Axé Capoeira family has grown to around 10,000 members, with representatives in Canada, the United States, Europe, Brazil, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. In classes, students learn not only about Capoeira but also about Brazil’s cultural background. Classes are open to students of every level, and everyone is welcome regardless of age, body type or gender.

Capoeira is a way of life. Born of oppression under the moonlight, in the darkness of the night in Brazil, Capoeira is a product of quick wit. For the African slaves who fled for their freedom and hid in refuge settlements (Quilombos), defending themselves was a necessity. They and the generations that followed disguised this art with music, dance and song. Capoeira is the story of a culture, the language of the streets, a balancing force between people. Yet as living conditions change, Capoeira is changing too, to keep its existence alive and protect its nature.