Mandarin language teacher Liu Mei (right) helps a local student at the Confucius Institute in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during a class for Fourah Bay College Secondary School students on Oct 15. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
In a small yard in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone on the southern coast of West Africa, dozens of students practiced their kung fu moves.
The city's hot weather posed a physical challenge for the students, leaving them drenched in perspiration, but their passion for Chinese martial arts was obvious.
Liu Wei, a Confucius Institute martial arts teacher at the University of Sierra Leone, has been sharing his expertise in kung fu since he arrived in the country. Liu teaches multiple classes a week, with each session lasting three hours.
Liu Mei smiles after class on Oct 15. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
In Sierra Leone, Liu discovered many students physically suited for martial arts. He said that many young people had been introduced to kung fu through martial arts-themed movies and TV shows.
Liu recalled how students displayed great enthusiasm whenever he mentioned Shaolin, the name of the Chinese temple and a symbol of kung fu. Some even expressed a desire to visit China after meeting Liu.
Students of Fourah Bay College Secondary School take Mandarin language classes on Oct 15. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
To help his students quickly grasp the essentials of martial arts, Liu dedicated many nights to researching and refining his teaching methods to overcome cultural and language barriers. He demonstrated classic kung fu routines during class breaks and used movie clips to enhance his classes.
Liu enjoys practicing with his students, teaching a range of skills from basic stances to Shaolin fist and saber techniques. He emphasizes to his students that martial arts classes should not focus solely on skills; they should also understand the spirit of kung fu, which promotes self-improvement and virtue alongside physical skills.
"Martial arts classes should not be just about martial arts techniques," Liu said.
Chinese martial arts teacher Liu Wei (center) practices moves with Fourah Bay College Secondary School students during a training session at the Confucius Institute in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Oct 15. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
He also teaches students the Chinese language, martial ethics, etiquette and other knowledge he considers essential for their overall martial arts development.
Liu similarly engages his students in various cultural exchange activities, including martial arts performances and traditional Chinese festivals and events.
Chen Xuebin, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, said that Liu has taught nearly 1,000 students in Africa over three years.
Chinese language and martial arts classes are becoming popular among many students in Freetown amid efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
Liu said he hopes to build a "martial arts bridge" in the future, giving more African students with martial arts talent the chance to visit China to explore opportunities beyond their borders.
China and Sierra Leone have been engaging in various cultural exchanges, in line with China's broader Belt and Road Initiative.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, a key entity within the network, plays a significant role in fostering cultural diplomacy and promoting Chinese language and heritage.
Chinese language and martial arts classes are becoming popular among many students in Freetown amid efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
Established in 2012 in collaboration with the University of Sierra Leone, the institute offers a range of programs, including language instruction and immersive cultural experiences such as calligraphy, martial arts and traditional music.
Freetown's Confucius Institute is witnessing a surge in participation, offering diverse activities like martial arts, tai chi and Chinese language courses.
Chinese language and martial arts classes are becoming popular among many students in Freetown amid efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges. PHOTO BY SAIDU BAH/AFP
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio commented on the widespread appeal of Chinese culture in an interview with Chinese media, noting its increasing presence not only in his nation but also globally.
"Chinese culture, Chinese people and everything that is Chinese is becoming commonplace in Sierra Leone and around the world … People want to be able to engage and understand the culture," he said.
