THE sounds and sights of Brazilian culture are being celebrated in Bournemouth this weekend.

Origens do Brasil, a Bournemouth-based capoeira club is holding its annual grading event in the town.

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art form combining dance and sport, which is performed to percussion and chanting.

It is performed by two players who dance on their hands and feet.

The Bournemouth class started 14 years ago in 2002 by Beatriz Viana Rosa, known as Professora Bia, a young woman from Sao Paulo and since then the Origens do Brasil group has expanded to various locations in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Today saw dozens of capoeira students meet at the YMCA in Westover Road for the first day of the Bournemouth club's grading event.

They were also joined by eight guest teachers who have travelled from as far away as France, Croatia and Brazil.

Rob Keit, who is one of the teachers in Bournemouth, took up capoeira almost 10 years ago when he was introduced to it by a friend.

"It's completely different to any other kind of martial arts," said Rob.

"There's this wonderful mixture of music, dance, aerobics, history, language and martial arts.

"zIt's non-combat so there is such a lovely vibe as well compared to a lot of other martial arts gyms."

According to Rob the emphasis on the history and origins of copoeira is just as important as being able to do the moves.

"It was originally created by African slaves to keep their fighting skills hidden.

"So they disguising their training with music and chants to make it look like they were just dancing.

"This is why the chanting and the music is still such a huge part of capoeira but as a teacher it's difficult sometimes to learn all of the Portuguese needed."

At the event today the students, who were aged between four and 60, took part in a couple of workshops before a number of students attempted to gain their next belt by playing against a master.

Professora Bia said: "As a Brazilian it's lovely to be able to share such a huge part of our culture with so many people from other countries and this weekend's events have been a really nice way to bring so many of these people together."