Kulturmötet i capoeiran i Sverige
en kulturantropologisk undersökning
Aim Capoeira is a sport and art form strongly associated with the Brazilian culture. The main aim of the study was to examine how the capoeira is introduced into the Swedish society. Also to study the practitioners and trainers experience around the culture meeting. The questions were the following: What differences and similarities exist within capoeira in Sweden and Brazil? How are Swedish practitioners and trainers from a Western culture affected by the culture meeting? How are the Brazilian coaches in Sweden affected by the culture meeting? Is there a Culture crash between the Brazilian and Western cultures in capoeira? MethodQualitative interviews were chosen as an approach because it was considered appropriate in terms of the purpose and questions of the study. To strengthen the validity of the study was a targeted sample of Swedish practitioners, Swedish and Brazilian trainers to get different perspectives. All were residents in Sweden and active in capoeira. Six persons were interviewed about their experiences of the cultural meeting. The empirical material was analyzed on the basis of previous research and the theoretical framework of the study. ResultsPrevious research and the current study show that the prevailing norms and traditions within the capoeira are not based on the Swedish society. They are based on the Brazilian culture and are found to have a major impact on the Swedish practitioners. The results and also show clear cultural differences based on the two opposing ideologies: individual-centred and group-centred ideology. This creates, in some cases, both opposition and incomprehension.ConclusionsBoth Swedish and Brazilian performers are interested in preserving capoeiran culture and traditions, but at the same time capoeira needs some adaptation to the Swedish culture and society. The Brazilian and Swedish practitioners and trainers emphasize the need for a degree of tolerance and understanding of the cultural meeting to avoid conflicts and to be able to interact.