PICTURES: Capoeira weekend in Worthing

The third graduation organised by Capoeira Nago School UK was the biggest yet, featuring classes, street displays, rodas, workshops and shows.

Instructor Inês Silveira, known as Goma, runs classes with her mother Maria Machado, known as Mila.

Inês said: “What a brilliant weekend in Worthing, full of capoeira and children.

“Sparkling happiness on children’s faces and proudness in parents hearts for the third graduation of Capoeira Nago School UK.”

The graduation is an annual event to upgrade the belt level of children who have passed their exams. It was combined with an international meeting with 25 children and parents from Capoeira Nago School Portugal, where Afranio Silveira, Inês’ father and the leader of the school, spends much of his time teaching.

Inês explained: “The belt is a sign of reward for all the work done over the year. A child sees it as a prize and most of the time it helps to further grow the passion and dedication to capoeira.

“Hard work, effort, dedication, skills and capacity are clearly manifested by the child.

“Capoeira is a cultural practice that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. It is a sport that embraces every member of society with different skills.

“Everyone can do capoeira due to its diversity of elements, such as musicality, dancing, physical exercise, art and much more.”

The graduation programme started with a capoeira display at Beach House Grounds on Friday. The Big Ceremony was at the Pavilion Theatre on Saturday, with performances of Maculele, a tribal show, and Puxada de rede, a fisherman’s life story. Then on Sunday, there was a giant open-air capoeira class in Montague Place, Worthing.

Afranio, known as Mestre Magoo, established the school in Portugal in 1987.

Inês said: “He is the pioneer of capoeira in Portugal. His work embraces an average of 300 children that train and learn capoeira with him.

“The international meeting not only allowed the children and young people involved to take part and support the graduation itself but also to exchange capoeira, language and cultural knowledge with children from Capoeira Nago School UK.”

A number of schools and nurseries in Worthing and beyond host classes. Visit www.capoeiranagouk.com for more information.