When instructor Bruno Basomingera arrived in Rwanda a year ago, he had one mission: To introduce a Brazilian martial art form known as Capoeira to Rwandans.

In January this year, the 29-year-old started Capoeira classes in Kimihurura, a high end area in Kigali popular with the expats population, and at the Cercle Sportif de Kigali in August.

Capoeira borrows from African traditional wrestling and blends in elements of song, dance and fighting.

Black slaves in Brazil, mainly from Angola, invented it around the 16th century.

Basominengera says: “Capoeira is a fighting technique based on circular or direct kicks, dodges and acrobatic moves. ”

It, however, differs from other forms of martial arts by its quick and complex moves, as well as leverage for leg sweeps.

Basomingera believes it has the potential of breaking barriers, opening people’s minds and creating in them a feeling of physical and mental wellbeing.

It keeps the body fit — neck, chest, biceps, forearms, back, abs, glutes and calves.

“Gradually, the flexibility of the back and leg muscles increases. One also gains confidence, appears calm and is better able to cope with stressful situations,” said Basomingera.

The half Brazilian, half Rwandan who has been practicing Capoeira for over 15 years, 12 of them as a coach, says his class is open to all.
“Women, men, children or elderly people, fit or otherwise, black or white, anybody can learn Capoeira,” says Basomingera.

Getting good at it

He adds that one’s progress is determined by their physical fitness, level of motivation and commitment as well as frequency of training.
Interestingly, when this newspaper visited one of his classes recently, there were no locals present.

Basominengera attributes this to lack of awareness about the martial art as well as the cost.

He charges Rwf2000 ($3.1) per two-hour training session which he conducts every Monday.

Basominengera says Capoeira is quite addictive. “Once you try it, it captures you,” he said.

One of the trainees, Martine Durade a Frenchwoman living in Rwanda said: “You get flexible, you have fun, sing and network with people; so it’s interesting.”

To foot his bills, Basominengera is a pastry and chocolate chef who works from his house, relying on orders. Capoeira is his part-time job.
Capoeira is taught and performed all over the world.

With the help of Brazilian rhythm and song, two people perform in a circle formed by the capoeiristas (people who practice Capoeira).

Among the musical instruments used are the berimbau, which looks like an arc and a stick to hit the chord, while a pebble allows different sounds; the pandeiro and the atabaque, which are percussion instruments that provide the rhythm. These three instruments played together make up the bateria.

A good Capoeirista must also know how to play any of the three instruments and sing the songs.

Songs play an important part in Capoeira. It is partly the rhythm that determines the type of games to be adopted.