Capoeira como prática educativa: vivenciando os valores afrobrasileiros e a filosofia ubuntu na comunidade da Penha, João Pessoa – PB

Abstract

Capoeira, as an Afro-Brazilian cultural expression and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a rich educational practice offering possibilities for valuing and reclaiming ancestral knowledge. In this sense, this work aims to report and analyze the extension experience developed in the Praia da Penha community, in João Pessoa – PB, through the extension projects “Strengthening Popular Culture in Peripheral Communities: Capoeira, Ubuntu and Afro-Brazilian Values” (2023/2024) and “Afro-Brazilian Culture in the Praia da Penha Community: Play and Nature” (2024/2025), linked to the Federal University of Paraíba. The research starts from the understanding of capoeira as an Afro-Brazilian cultural practice that articulates education, culture, and resistance, enabling the appreciation of popular knowledge and the strengthening of collective identities. This study is based on the principles of Popular Education, especially the contributions of Paulo Freire, as well as the African philosophy of Ubuntu and Afro-Brazilian civilizational values. It is a qualitative experience report, based on participant observation and the recording of experiences with children and adolescents in the community. The activities involved capoeira classes, storytelling, traditional games, cultural workshops, and educational actions aimed at valuing Afro-Brazilian culture, collectivity, and care for the environment. The results show that capoeira, as a pedagogical and cultural practice, contributes to strengthening self-esteem, cultural identity, socialization, and a sense of belonging among children, in addition to promoting values such as cooperation, respect, and solidarity, aligned with the principles of the Ubuntu philosophy. It is concluded that outreach experiences mediated by popular culture constitute important strategies for promoting anti-racist education and valuing Afro-Brazilian knowledge, also highlighting the fundamental role of the Brazilian public university in building socially committed educational practices and strengthening the dialogue between academic and community knowledge.