FICA Philadelphia Brings Brazilian Culture to the City from Tieast Leverett on Vimeo.
The practice of capoeira Angola reaches all the way back to Africa; the movements, songs, instruments and way of life are all taken from the countries of origin of the slaves brought to Brazil from central Africa.
Often described as a “way of life” the practice combines physical, spiritual and artistic components in a way that over time has meant many different things. At first it was a means for African slaves to continue their cultural practices during slavery in South America, but it soon became a method of resistance to oppression; at which time those in power forbade it.
Fundaçao Internacional de Capoeira Angola (FICA) Philadelphia chapter is a local group that practices and promotes capoeira, and uses the practice to communicate unity and cultural awareness. The group has introduced capoeira to a diverse community, and as a result, has carried out the intentions of those who practiced it so long ago.