It is the largest favela in Rio so it has a diverse mixture of people and cultures, including African roots that people want to preserve. I am not sure how common capoiera is in general, but in this favela it is widely practiced. I think this traditon is important for a sense of community and historical preservation.
The performance took place on the roof of a building in Rocina. I am not sure if this aspect is typical, but being on the roof meant it was performed in an enclosed space, and that is very common in capoiera. It was performed by a non profit group that helps youth in the neighborhood learn the martial arts to provide a creative outlet. Yes, the performance I saw appeared very traditional from my understanding. Rocina was a great place to see this because it was performed by people directly related to the culture and tradition.
