Children's festival in South Africa

Bisho Children's Festival

With typical South African 'last minuteness' six of the under thirteen year old capoeira students from Hamburg went on a 5 day trip to Bisho Children's Festival. Piaba took a berimbau and a pandeiro, which we didn't even know he was able to play, and off they set. I have never seen such excitement, and it was a privilege to see how a small trip could trigger such genuine enthusiasm and pleasure.

They had five days of VIP treatment, since the King and Queen of the Mnqhesha Tribe have set up an annual Children's Festival in their home! This is to encourage children to dance, perform and be artistic. Everyday they played capoeira to a large audience. Piaba had a microphone for the berimbau and his voice, and I think that Bamba and Macaco helped with the music also. The twins, Rio and Cobra were there, and Bamba displayed all his acrobatic talents with back-flips, and walking hand-stands.

At the end of their stay they were taken to the local Parliament, a museum, and an airport where they were invited onto a plain. All the children refused this invitation, perhaps because they were frightened that it was a trick, and they seem to be afraid of flying. In the evening they went to the beach, and there was a big barbeque and they ate lots and played even more.

They returned to the village as celebrities amongst their peers, and the six of them had forged such a tight bond. Also, the improvement in their capoeira was wonderful to see. They had earned a new confidence.

They have been invited to attend the next festival in November, when perhaps ten children can go from Abolicao Hamburg. As a result of their performances at the Festival we have been receiving many phone calls from youth organisations all over the Eastern Cape, asking us to facilitate workshops teaching this strange and remarkable sport to other children— and perhaps we will be able to.

By Bailarina