Arizona’s Cronkite News traveled to Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Summer Olympics and met up with Omri Breda, better known to capoeiristas as Mestre Ferradura, and interviewed him about the importance of capoeira in Brazil — and especially how it connects people to the African roots of the art form.

Jonathon Saxon for Cronkite News:

It serves as a reminder of Brazil’s past, of its creators’ strength and perseverance in the face of oppression and links its students back to the African continent.

Breda believes this connection with the past is important for the Brazilians of today, especially in communities of African descent.

The full article provides the usual, yet important, historical context for capoeira, but focuses on the value it provides to those people of African descent living in Brazil. There is also a video by reporter Kristina Vicario featuring Mestre Ferradura and some of his students.

“Capoeira is…a very strong tool for the children to have, something that links them (to) their identity,” he said. “Especially the black kids in Brazil that have a need for having (a) good reference of black people.”

Read the full article, Capoeira connects Brazil with its African roots.

Mestre Ferradura runs Escola de Capoeira e Educação Brincadeira De Angola in Rio de Janeiro. You can find out more about him and the school at their official website and Facebook page.