Community & Capoeira

The focus of this work is the notion of connected communities and how a creative practice (i.e. capoeira) could be considered to promote closeness and connectedness between people. The study will last approximately 2 years, commencing October 2013. The capoeira course will run for 6 months, with one session per week. The course will be run by Sam Mascote and one assistant. Sam Mascote is an experienced capoeira course leader located in Birmingham. The study includes two participant groupings: new capoeira students (as recruited from the community) and the existent capoeira practitioners. The two capoeira practitioners will act as participants.

Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian cultural art incorporating movement, music and ritual elements. As well as being an amazingly interesting, challenging, and fun activity, the practicing of Capoeira can also develop excellent fitness, increased flexibility, improved coordination and balance, plus knowledge of another culture and language. Through the training, capoeira students also further their understanding of rhythm and musicality. However, no previous experience in any of these is necessary to begin Capoeira classes.

A mixed-method approach is adopted. 4 research methods will be utilised. The study will involve quantitative measurement pre- and post-course – i.e. applying and analysing creative practice measures of social inclusion (Secker et al., 2009) and well-being (WEMBWS Tennant et al., 2007) – alongside qualitative research methods (overt participant observation and semi-structured interview). Members of the research team will attend some of the capoeira sessions and construct and collect qualitative overt participant observation data. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants nearing the end of the course. The 2 questionnaires will be administered to all participants at the first and the final capoeira sessions. A clear and concise Participant Information Sheet will be produced and used, alongside the completion of Consent Forms. Both participant sample groups (i.e. the new students and the capoeira practitioners) will be involved in all 4 research data collection methods. A participant background information form will also be used to collect demographic data re. the participants.