Associação Cultural de Capoeira Angola - Professor William
Capoeira School in Manchester & Leeds

The Associação Cultural de Capoeira Angola (ACCA) was officially founded at the start of 2006. However, the members of this group had been working on developing themselves as an independent association for three years previously. William Sousa came over from Brazil to teach capoeira at MANCAT (Manchester College of Art and Technology) in 2003 as a representative of GCAP (Groupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho) of which he had been an active member for over sixteen years. In September 2005 a satellite of the group was set up as part of the LUU (Leeds University Union) Capoeira Club.

Since then the group has helped to develop capoeira angola among other european groups by way of workshops which also act as a cultural exchange. The aim of the group is to keep the tradition of capoeira angola alive, preserving all aspects and adopting the same teaching methodology used in Brazil. The group is also focused on sustaining a high awareness of the Afro-Brazilian origins. To ensure that our students gain a deeper understanding of capoeira, periodic workshops are held which include intensive seminars and movement classes. This type of learning is enhanced by bringing masters of this art form over from Brazil for such events.

Owing to the nature of capoeira, ACCA has had a large involvement in social events aimed at improving communities. It is an ideal tool for education, instilling a sense of discipline and self-improvement, encouraging acceptance of cultural diversity as well as beating violence and any kind of prejudice. Apart from regular classes held for children and youths in low income areas of Manchester, the group has had a presence in several events including Black History Month (Zion Centre, Manchester), Liverpool Art Gallery, Mix and Match event (Ydo, Scholes Wigan), WHIZ (Whalley Range Inclusion Zone), Scout Hut (Knutsford), Clifton Youth Centre (Salford), Bridgewater High School (Warrington), Monthly Brazilian Carnaval (Luso-Brazilian Society, Leeds University Union), STRUT Fashion Show 2006 (Halo, Leeds) and MANCAT Fashion Show 2005 (Manchester). However, as the roots of capoeira and the group are a high priority, our social work goes beyond the local area and stretches as far as Belo Horizonte, Brazil. ACCA is a partner of CIAME, a project that provides after-school activities for children and youths. Through this partnership the group acts as a first point of contact for CIAME and helps to organize trips for voluntary work in Brazil.