What is Capoeira
A Dance-Like Fight, a Fight-Like Dance…
Capoeira [cah-po-way-dah]: It’s a dance, it’s a fight, it’s an energetic workout
and a unique acrobatic style, but above all, Capoeira is a fun and challenging
game requiring physical stamina and mental strategy. Created by African slaves
in Brazil, Capoeira is unique in the world of performing arts in that it combines elements of self-defense, acrobatics, dance, music, language, and
culture all in one art form.
Capoeira served dozens of purposes for its creators. It provided hope and unity
to those bereft of both. It was a pastime beloved by its participants and
continues to be so today. It is a unique sport where you don’t have to keep
score and where there are multiple ways to win. It has been said that Capoeira
is a tool to help make people better members of society.
Capoeira’s variety
transcends social barriers, like age, and brings its participants together. By
nature, it becomes an environment where self image is strengthened, and each
participant can find something to excel at, whether it be movement, music, or
strategy.
Oral tradition teaches that African slaves in Brazil were prohibited from
practicing many traditional and cultural activities including dance, music, and
other activities that could lead to unification and uprisings amongst slaves.
The practice of martial arts was also banned. Capoeira was developed to be
something that could not be defined, and, hence, impossible to prohibit. Attacks
and defenses were disguised to be fluid and rhythmic, and the slaves sang songs
and played instruments as the danced. The art that developed became an
interactive dance between two people which continues today. Capoeira is still
developing new artistic movements very similar to dance. Students learn control,
rhythm, and flexibility in training, and still learn to play authentic Brazilian
music unique to Capoeira.
Fight: In Portuguese, luta, to fight or struggle. This was as much a philosophy
of life as well as an activity. Slaves in Brazil who influenced the creation of
Capoeira had to struggle to survive. They learned martial kicks, ground
techniques, defenses, and dodges, but would try to run away first and then
defend themselves if caught. Today most Capoeira rodas (circles where the game
is played) occur without contact. Capoeira is a sport and a game, and the winner
is not defined as the one who out-kicks the other. Although many Capoeira kicks
are common to traditional martial arts, Capoeira jogadores, meaning “players,”
not fighters, incorporate strategy to trick their opponents into falling for
traps. Kicks or takedowns are “shown” but not necessarily carried out. Students
are taught to avoid contact and how to escape. Though there are styles of
Capoeira that focus on the martial element of the art similar to sparring, these
styles are practiced among experienced students only. In Capoeira class,
students learn quick reaction, strength, control, kicking techniques, defenses,
and counter-attacks.
Be ready for a workout! Capoeira is a physically and mentally challenging art
form that is very rewarding. Because Capoeira incorporates all categories of
movement, we can confidently say that Capoeira provides the best aerobic and
strength-building workout available within the world of performing arts. Unlike
martial arts, Capoeira does not have a static fighting stance. The basic
“position” of Capoeira is a movement called the ginga [jin-ga], which consists
of stepping back and forth and side to side, similar to steps you’d perform in an
aerobics class. The basic kicks and dodges of Capoeira form an intense
calisthenics-style workout. Capoeira’s diverse vocabulary of movements will help
you strength train, using your own body as resistance, and will work your entire
body. Capoeira also builds coordination and balance much like dance, and teaches
strength and application like a martial art. In Capoeira class, expect to be
exposed to a variety of movement, conditioning exercises, and strong attacks and
defenses that can be tailored to your own strengths and personal ability level.
Capoeira is the author of some of the most spectacular acrobatics in the world.
It is becoming famous for its high-flying flips, airborne spinning kicks,
intricate ground movements, and more. Hollywood movies, music videos, television
commercials, and video games have been showcasing Capoeira’s popular and flashy
movements. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to do a round-off back flip, a
hand spin, or a barrel roll, Capoeira is for you. As part of our Capoeira
training, we teach all levels of acrobatic movement from the unique perspective
of the Capoeira style. We start with basic acrobatic movements like cartwheels
and head stands, and as they master the basics, we challenge our students with
mind-bending flips, kicks, spins, and aerial sequences. Whether you are an
experienced gymnast or just learning a cartwheel, come experience a new twist in
acrobatics training Capoeira.
Capoeira is many things, but it is primarily a game. Practitioners of Capoeira
are referred to as jogadores, meaning “players.” Students learn to play the game
of Capoeira, interacting in a non-choreographed conversation of movement.
Capoeira “players” train movements, attacks, defenses, sequences, and acrobatics
individually with the intent to adapt and fit them together with other students.
When players “face off” or spar, it is not uncommon for them to never actually
make contact. Capoeira players focus on being able to control their bodies and
“show” strikes and takedowns in the game without connecting with their opponent
and disrupting the flow of the game itself. There are many sub styles or games
within Capoeira, some slow, some fast. Some styles focus on complicated and
beautiful acrobatic movements while others are played with the intent to train
martial kicks and takedowns. Capoeira players change their intensity, style, and
focus depending on the rhythm of the music. As Capoeira music is an integral
part of the art, students also learn to play traditional Afro-Brazilian
instruments and sing in Portuguese.
From the beginning of the sixteenth until the end of the nineteenth century,
Portuguese slave traders raided villages along the Yoruban costal region of
western Africa to stock the slave trade. The demand for slaves to work on
plantations in the New World colonies during this period increased constantly,
especially in the region that is today northeastern Brazil.
Approximately three million slaves were forced to learn to survive in this new,
harsh land. Unable to defend themselves against the weapons of their new
masters, and unable to unify their diverse cultural groups, the slaves had no
way to rebel against captivity. With influences from Africa, Portugal, and the
indigenous peoples of the New World, a new form of self-defense was developed
that ultimately led to their freedom.
Disguising their training as a ritualistic dance, participants (capoeiristas)
threw spinning kicks and head butts, narrowly missing their opponents who
countered with acrobatic retreats that suddenly changed from defense to attack.
Onlookers sang, clapped their hands, and played drums to the rhythm of the
berimbau, a one-stringed bowlike instrument. The lyrics of the songs spoke of
happier life and freedom.
As rebellion among the slaves grew more common, Capoeira was outlawed.
Capoeiristas were forced to move their training underground, where it remained
until about fifty years ago. With the influence of Mestre Bimba in the 1930s,
Capoeira began to be recognized as a legitimate sport and an important part of
Brazil’s cultural history.
Capoeira's popularity grew throughout the country and it is now practiced openly
in the streets and taught in the public schools. Capoeira was formally brought
to the United States for the first time in the 1970s, and is now taught in
cities across the country. Its exotic appearance and driving make it fascinating
to watch, and its symbols of the unification of the masses and the freedom of
the individual ensure the growth and survival of Capoeira in the future.
Reprinted courtesy of Aaron and Anne Laurtizen (Graduado Mago and Graduada
Segura em Casa) of BrazilianCapoeira, CO.
For a more in-depth look at Capoeira and its history, see Capoeira: An
Introductory History by Mestre Acordeon of the United Capoeira Association
http://www.capoeira.bz/mestreacordeon/capoeira/capoeira.html
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