Our New Academia Is Now Open!

The month has passed at break-neck speed for Bantus. Many, many heartfelt thanks once again to all who set aside some time to help bring the new academia to its current usable state. It looks fabulous! You’ve been a huge blessing to the group.

Monday 8pm, 19th June 2005—The new academia was alive with chatter amongst students old and new, their parents and casual observers. The air was moving thanks to the many ceiling and exhaust fans which have been installed—most of us who train regularly know how much of a luxury this is! Eventually Rafael called us to sit and form a roda. He and Seda spoke briefly, after which they wasted no time in getting the bataria started.

The roda was spirited, perhaps even more so because we were playing in our new ‘home’. For the seniors it could have been the sense of realising something which started off as a dream—to see capoeira take firm root here in Malaysia and expand at its own pace. Memories of our first opening roda last year still remain fresh in our minds.

After the roda concluded, we all made an attempt at dancing samba, guided by Lillian and Stella. Credit to all the guys who braved through the entire barrage of lower body action! The two Brazilian ladies were very much in their element with all the pelvic thrusts and bewitching circular movements, while the rest of us wondered how we could dislocate our hips from spines to do the same.

The laughter from the samba demonstration carried over to the makan and mingle session after that. Thanks to everyone who lent their axé to the opening of our new academia!

Thanks goes out to Kenneth for the pictures. See more here.