Imaginary construct in controversy in capoeira s practice: Leisure, "trade" and immaterial cultural heritage

The expansion of capoeira in Europe is a recent phenomenon which scope reveals the stakes of a cosmopolitanism at work (Beck, 2006; Tarrius, 2000). Most European capoeiristas adopt this leisure activity as a mass consumption object amongst others, some put a lot of work into it. From a playful and festive practice, the enthusiast turns to the "professional path". Traditional knowledge are combined with the managing skills of a "Capoeira Academy" in an expanding market. The transition between the antagonistic world of leisure and of professionalism gives rise to changes amongst the corporal representation of people practicing capoeira. What are the imaginary constructs referred to by the leisurecapoeira enthusiasts? To what extent is the professional reality interfering with their conceptions? This study will try to demonstrate that the maintaining of, or even the blossoming of the imaginary constructs surrounding capoeira (authenticity, tradition, festive and friendly Brazil, symbols of liberation, identity claims, etc.) is a factor for the legitimization and the viability of professional in Europe.