It’s been a while so let’s start with basics. Members of Ginga Brasil Association believe that Capoeira – Brazilian martial art – might be a great tool to enhance social change. The name of this blog is “Gingando para a Cidadania” which in loose translation means “Doing ginga for a citizenship” (ginga is a basic Capoeira movement). So within social change that Capoeira support there is also idea of citizenship or civic society in general.  The belief expressed above is foundation of actions that our association is undertaking and due that fact we also feel the obligation to spread that idea through different means of communication. For example via this blog. And thus we also decided to change language in which next articles will be posted. Since we want to catch attention of broader audience we run the blog in…

…English obviously ;)

But how “doing ginga” can help the idea of citizenship? To answer that question first we have to think how we understand “citizenship”. And allow me just add – this description of citizenship shouldn’t be treated like a part of scholar dispute (however author of this post have some social science background). The “definition” below is more like a feeling, a free discussion upon the subject and goes more or less like that: citizenship is ideal situation in which all members of the society have both: the right and the desire, to participate in economical, cultural and political life of the society. There might be common opportunities to join those dimension of social life but if there is no desire to do so, the opportunities will be wasted. And there might be common aspiration for participation but if the circumstances will not allow to partake nations will lost the potential that lives within them. And please remember that I described citizenship as an ideal situation, an idea – cause probably there is no society in which literally every citizen have the right and desire depicted above. However this the situation, a point toward which it is worth going.

Returning to the basic question: how “doing ginga” can contribute to the realization of the idea of citizenship? We believe that Capoeira have some traits which are creating for its practitioners space for participation and the need to use that space. Just practicing Capoeira and underlining those traits during the training support civic society. What are those characteristics?

First of all Capoeira is a cultural phenomenon. It’s culture itself that is realized within the group of people. Those groups are the doors for participating in cultural life of society. That is how Capoeira might be used as social inclusion tool – opening the doors for people that often do not have such opportunities. Whether it’s about creating chances for Brazilians or foreigners (author of this article is living example of that) all over the world.

That brings us next thing – Capoeira was from the beginning the intercultural social phenomenon – a mixture of cultural norms, rites and moves from various nations. This interculturality is still present in Capoeira – since Capoeira spread to the whole world it gains a lot from other cultures and change a bit through that. 

'Ginga Brasil - Lisbon' training - practitioners from Angola, Brasil, Poland, Portugal and Russia.

Martial art get new influences and its practitioners became more curious about Capoeira, learn new culture and due to that process they become more open-minded. That open-mindedness make them search for more opportunities, make them more eager to participate in life of the society.

Furthermore practicing Capoeira creates demeanors  that are supportive to the idea of citizenship: consciousness of communities needs, ability to participate, tolerance or before mentioned open-mindedness. In other words: Capoeira might be a tool of civic education!

Summarizing “gingando’ can be and is a way to support the idea of broader citizenship on every level. From small communities through nations to international community (EU citizenship). In next posts we will give examples – proofs that our belief works through events organized by Ginga Brasil Association.