Join Kwayera and martial artist, Rondel Benjamin, for an intimate and inspiring conversation about living an awakened life!
A lifelong disciple of Martial Arts, Rondel Benjamin has studied over 24 different martial traditions including Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), Filipino Kali ,Capoeira Angola, Russian Sambo, and Brazilian Jui Jitsu. After 10 years of traveling, Rondel returned to Trinidad to pursue a lifelong dream to discover the roots of Trinidad & Tobago’s national martial tradition – Kalinda. The depth, richness, and present state-of-the-art form lead Rondel with Co-Founder Keegan Taylor to form the Bois Academy of Trinidad & Tobago. The focus of the Academy is to protect the living tradition of Kalinda through archiving, immersion, dissemination, and seeking national recognition for the living Masters of the art form. The Bois Academy team realized the urgent need to revitalize the iconic figure of the Bois Man in modern culture.
They have embarked on several projects to expose key elements of this cultural expression in modern media. BATT has produced numerous music recordings, featured in and supported 2 documentaries authored 1 book and developed extensive music, video, and literature archive. The Academy has performed and contributed to the annual Canboulay re-enactment celebrations during Carnival season. Rondel has recently assisted in the BFA program at the University of Trinidad and Tobago in the introduction of Kalinda and Capoeira into their dance program. He has also developed a program for at-risk male youth using Capoeira and Kalinda as tools for initiation and personal growth. He pioneered an anti-bullying/bully prevention program based on the “No Bully fear Program and traditional African Diaspora Youth development methods.
