Capoeira: Albuquerque brings communal game to Capital

"I ARRIVED in Edinburgh from Rio nearly nine years ago with £20 in my pocket and a handful of instruments. Now, I work all over Scotland teaching Capoeira."

If that rags-to-relative riches story sounds schmaltzy, Pedro Albuquerque insists that the upward curve his life has followed since coming to the Capital is down to the type of spontaneity characteristic of the martial art of his native Brazil.

He has lived his life by the Capoeira code since the age of seven. Much like its far eastern equivalents in the martial arts stable, the Afro-South American dance/duel has a rich sense of history and today is exhibited as an art form, often compared to breakdancing and accompanied by a lively soundtrack played by traditional Brazilian instruments.

"I was stuck at university in Rio and a friend invited me to help with a Capoeira event in Edinburgh," says 35-year-old Albuquerque. "I came here and thought I would go to London to find work, but ended up staying in Scotland."

In contrast to its origin as a combative form of self-defence used by African slaves in Brazil, Capoeira is now considered fun to practise and entertaining to watch, a type of dance whose worldwide popularity has surged. The affection with which it is held in Edinburgh was exemplified by the number of tickets sold for - and the crowd reaction to - the Fringe show Brazil, Brazil last year. Hundreds of people now attend weekly classes in the Capital run by Albuquerque. "Last year, we expanded our kids group, and now we have people of all ages from students to 40-plus and 50-plus groups," he said.

"It's a great way to maintain fitness and flexibility. But, underlying all this is exposure to a different culture, and it's mostly about having fun. It recharges you for everyday life.

"Capoeira is something that's hard to label. It's more than a martial art, a mix of dance, with the idea of a game, and the idea of community." The modern form of Capoeira retains much of the original aggression and confrontation between opponents involved in a "game", where Capoeiristas feign combat and refine the skill of narrowly missing their counterpart with a kick or a sweeping leg. One component that remains to this day is the music, normally provided by a berimbau - a single-string instrument similar to a crossbow. Its tune dictates the speed and nature of the "game": it is used to encourage players to perform better and often stops playing when the duel gets out of hand.

"I see Capoeira as a culture of resistance from African families," said Albuquerque. "It's been described as a fight, and it is borne out of a fight for freedom."

Albuquerque runs classes throughout Scotland and the Capital through the worldwide Senzala movement founded by his father. Sessions take place at Walpole Hall, Chester Street and at Dance Base, Grassmarket. A taster session, open to the public, will take place tomorrow at Edinburgh Napier University's Sighthill Campus from 5.30-6.30pm, while classes may soon be run from Holyrood High School. Private classes, group sessions, and birthday party performances are available. For more details, contact [email protected] or visit www.senzalascotland.co.uk.