What is Capoeira?
Created by slaves brought to Brazil from Africa, during the colonial period, Capoeira is a martial art that grew from survival. People were brought from Angola, Congo and Mozambique, and with them, they brought their cultural traditions. They hid their martial art and traditions into a form of dance. The African people developed capoeira not only to resist oppression, but also for the survival of their culture and the lifting of their spirits. After slavery, they continued to play capoeira. With no employment, many of them turned to gangs. Quickly capoeira was associated with crime and in 1892 became outlawed in Brazil. If a person was caught for practicing the art, they were punished by cutting the tendons of the back of their feet. A rhythm, called cavalaria, was created as an alarm that warned them of police. People that played capoeira had nicknames to hide their identity from the police. Often they had more than one. Getting a nickname has become a tradition and people gain a nick
Capoeira – a Mischievous art form Many people see it as a martial art — others as a dance, and there those who believe that it is their religion and cultural identity. The description of Capoeira varies according to people’s personalities. It is a native Brazilian Indian word given to a small partridge whose male is very jealous and engages in fierce fights with its rivals. Capoeira blends elements of dance, music, rituals, acrobatics, and fighting. Anyone can find some form of identity in Capoeira. Let’s take for instance somebody who lives in a big city like New York. He will probably see Capoeira as a martial art or as a form of self-defense. Because of the intensity of the city, and the challenges that he faces everyday, it makes him a natural “warrior” and he brings this instinct in to Capoeira’s circle. Brazilians call Capoeira a game. Capoeira is “played”, not fought. The Roda A circle is made, called a roda. Music is played, and everyone sings and claps while two players inter
Capoeira is a martial art integrated with dance, ritual, and gravity defying acrobatics. While it is fascinating to watch for the intricasy of the steps, the velocity of strike and evasion, and the beauty of acrobatics, capoeira is also an important repository of tradition, spirituality, and wisdom. The master passes to the student not only the dodging defenses, swift attacks, and wily feints of the game, but also the world of music, the rituals of respect, and the accumulated insight of generations of capoeira masters. More than a martial art or dance, capoeira is often considered a way of life by those who practice it. The central ritual of contemporary capoeira is the roda de capoeira or “ring” of capoeira. The bodies of the other players who sing and direct the game with music form the circle within which the players will test each other. As much a game against one’s self and one’s limits as against a person’s “companion” in the roda, capoeira demands that a person try to assert co
Video Transcript What is Capoeira? Hello! I am Instructor Shin and this is Instructor Maurice from Capoeira School of Bahia. On behalf of Expert Village.com, we are going to be talking about capoeira. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art born in Brazil by the African slaves which has music and history. We are going to talk a little bit about the instruments later and also Capoeira is a game. This game could be a straight fight to a nice game. You usually have fun when you play capoeira so I am going to sing a little song for you and you are going to see. I hope you enjoyed it.
