Uses and appropriations of capoeira by polish practitioners

Abstract

The work analyzes the uses and appropriations made of Capoeira by the Polish practitioners. It is a descriptive-interpretative research, which uses as sources the focus group, composed by 10 Polish Capoeira players (practitioners), and the participant observation in a Warsaw Capoeira group. It is ascertained the existence of an appropriation and redefinition process regarding such cultural manifestation in the country. At the same time Capoeira presents singular characteristics, deriving from local traditions and the particularities belonging to the ones who practice it, cultural aspects contained in its motor and symbolic baggage can also have an impact in the Polish people's way of thinking and acting, thus, configuring a cultural circularity movement. The Polish are proud of the Capoeira built in the last three decades in the country, which create identity representations among them, articulating local cultural aspects with the traditions present in this Afro-Brazilian manifestation.