Capoeira is a 500-year-old Brazilian martial art that has its roots on the African continent. It combines elements of dance, music, philosophy, and martial training. In Defense of Animals-Africa’s Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue currently has two volunteers, Gaurav Macaco Pawer (leading the song in the video) and Monica Szczupider, who are capoeira practitioners (capoeiristas). For the next few months, they’ll be sharing this art form with Meyene school students through our outreach program. Take a look at their first session, which explored the music and background of capoeira!

The capoeira program is another exciting addition to our existing education program which is joyfully engaging students in schools throughout this region of rural Cameroon. The learning techniques are fun, and children feel good about their participation. The overarching goal is to leave them with an understanding of chimpanzees and other animals as kindred beings who deserve respect and protectionand with an appreciation of their own responsibilities as future wildlife stewards.

The two-room school house, which we built in 2008 with a grant from the Embassy of The Netherlands, can be seen in the background. We’ll keep you updated as the capoeira lessons at Meyene school progress. Video courtesy of Monica Szczupider