| |
DEFINITIONS AND ORIGINSCapoeira is a unique Brazilian art form, a blend of self-defense
acrobatics, dance, music and song. With the absence of tangible
facts on the origin of capoeira, many different versions are
still debated nowadays. The most common supposition is that
Capoeira originated in colonial Brazil in the midst of the African
slave's fight for freedom. Forbidden from carrying weapons,
the slaves resorted to using their bodies as a fighting tool
against their armed captors. Having developed a series of fatal
moves, they cunningly used music and song to disguise their
preparations to fight and often found their masters foolishly
entertained by the beauty of their potentially dangerous training
sessions. The elements of disguise, which have become an integral
part of Capoeira, have throughout the centuries helped to distinguish
the art from other forms of martial combat. The unmistakeable
rhythms of the berimbau and the beauty of its acrobatic moves
have awed every continent, infiltrated the movie industry and
become incorporated into popular Playstation games such as Tekken
3.
VARIOUS FORMS OF CAPOEIRA
Today, two basic styles of Capoeira exist. Capoeira, a movement
developed primarily by Mestre Pastinha, is the original Capoeira
style characterised by slow, sneaky movements played close to
the ground. Capoeira Regional on the other hand is a newer,
fast-paced, athletic style created by Mestre Bimba. It is combat-oriented
and characterised by a sequence of attack-defence and counterattack
blows. Modern Capoeira Regional includes a number of high jumps,
acrobatics, and spinning kicks which were originally not in
Mestre Bimba's style. In Capoeira Regional the players traditionally
wear white uniforms. They are ranked according to their ability
by different coloured belts, which are group specific and awarded
at the 'Batizado' or grading festival. Capoeira's uniqueness
stems from its productive rather than destructive energy, which
aims to encourage its players to work together, rather than
against each other. On its deepest level, Capoeira
transcends the physical limitations of other art forms: it
provides a philosophical framework for interaction with the
world at large and challenges its players physically,
mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
THE RODA
The game of Capoeira takes place in a circle known as the 'Roda',
which is created, by students, participants and onlookers of
the game. The roda is not only considered a microcosm which
reflects the macrocosm of life and the world around us, but
also defines the physical space where the game is to be played.
The entry point to the roda is marked by the berimbau or berimbaus,
which may be accompanied by other instruments such as the atabaque
drum or tambourines. The people in the circle formation clap
their hands to the beat of the music and sing Capoeira songs
while players who want to buy into the game must crouch at the
foot of the berimbau before entering the roda. Opponents should
greet each other by briefly gripping each other's hands and
await the response of the chorus before initiating play. The
pace of the game is decided by the pace of the music as directed
by the berimbau. In case another player wishes to buy into the
game, they must do the volta ao mundo, ie a walk around the
roda before they can initiate play with another player. In respect
of ones comrades and the teacher (or Mestre), one should await
the end of the roda before leaving.
THE MUSIC
Music is a very important aspect of Capoeira because it sets
the tempo of the game and determines the style of play. The
tempo ranges from the very slow to very fast rhythms of Sao
Bento Regional. The songs that accompany these rhythms are numerous
and vary from group to group. Some groups have their own songs;
others sing the very popular ones while some Mestres even like
to improvise songs in a roda. They can cover a range of topics
from stories about capoeiristas and Mestres to stories about
life, love, morality, game tactics deceit and bravery. Each
song usually has a litany or a narrative solo for the group
Master to sing at the beginning and a chorus which is
repeated by the participants throughout.
THE INSTRUMENTS
The most basic Capeoira instrument include 3 berimbaus (called
the Gunga, Medio and Viola). They look like archer bows with
a gourd attached to them and are played with a stick and a pebble
stone. The Gunga, Medio and Viola vary size from a large gourd
to a small one and produce a deep, medium and sharp sound respectively.
Other instruments that are featured in the roda include a number
of pandeiros (tambourines), a Reco-Reco (rasp), and an Agogo
(a double gong bell). The atabaque (a conga-like drum) is also
a very common instrumental component.
An integral part of Capoeira Regional is the traditional use
of the white uniform. The uniform consists of white pants which
feature the group logo, belt or cordel, and a group specific
t-shirt, singlet or female crop-top. Non slippery sports shoes
are optional. Students who, for whatever reason, can not wear
their uniform to class should out of respect ask permission
from their Master to train in other clothing. If wishing to
purchase uniforms, capoeira street wear or other gear, please
contact Mestre Cicatriz.
Maculele is a Brazilian dance performed to the rhythm of the
atabaque drum. The origins of the maculae are still uncertain
but it is a popular performance in Capoeira rodas. Traditionally
dressed in a dried-grass skirt, each participant or dancer carries
a pair of wooden sticks about 24 inches long. During the dance
they strike the sticks together one against the other and against
those of other dancers. The leader sings and the people in the
circle respond by singing the chorus of the songs. On the first
three beats they strike their own sticks together making expressive
and athletic dance movements while on each fourth beat, they
strike each other's respective right-hand stick together. This
makes a dance that looks like "mock stick combat."
The Brazilian Samba is a distinctive rhythm and dance of . It
has its origins in African dances brought to along with West
African slaves. The rhythm has undergone various transformations
throughout time and there are a number of samba types: from
easy listening samba to carnival samba performed in the streets
of Rio de Janeiro. A distinctive samba rhythm known as Samba
de Roda is performed in Capoeira rodas and Capeoira events.
The rhythm is produced with the berimbau, atabaque, agogo and
pandeiros (tambourines) and couples are encouraged to make their
way in the roda and dance. In the same way as players buy into
a Capoeira game, they can likewise buy into a Samba de Roda.
Often dancers compete for a dance partner by showing off their
best moves while the crowd cheers them on.
UNIFORMS
The uniform consists of white pants which feature the group
logo, belt or cordel, and a group specific t-shirt, singlet
or female crop-top. Non slippery sports shoes are optional (except
for mat training where shoes are required to be taken off).
Students who, for whatever reason, cannot wear their uniform
to class should out of respect ask permission from their Master
to train in other clothing. If wishing to purchase uniforms,
please contact us or purchase thru our store option.
MACULELE
Maculele is a Brazilian dance performed to the rhythm of the
atabaque drum. The origins of the maculae are still uncertain
but it is a popular performance in Capoeira rodas. Traditionally
dressed in a dried-grass skirt, each participant or dancer carries
a pair of wooden sticks about 24 inches long. During the dance
they strike the sticks together one against the other and against
those of other dancers. The leader sings and the people in the
circle respond by singing the chorus of the songs. On the first
three beats they strike their own sticks together making expressive
and athletic dance movements while on each fourth beat, they
strike each other's respective right-hand stick together. This
makes a dance that looks like "mock stick combat."
SAMBA DE RODA
The Brazilian Samba is a distinctive rhythm and dance. It has
its origins in African dances brought to along with West African
slaves. The rhythm has undergone various transformations throughout
time and there are a number of samba types: from easy listening
samba to carnival samba performed in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
A distinctive samba rhythm known as Samba de Roda is performed
in Capoeira rodas and Capeoira events. The rhythm is produced
with the berimbau, atabaque, agogo and pandeiros (tambourines)
and couples are encouraged to make their way in the roda and
dance. In the same way as players buy into a Capoeira game,
they can likewise buy into a Samba de Roda. Often dancers compete
for a dance partner by showing off their best moves while the
crowd cheers them on.
BENEFITS OF CAPOEIRA
It is said that “Capoeira is not just a sport, it is an art
form, a culture and an educational activity”. In many Brazilian
schools it is a compulsory discipline, which develops students
not only in the physical but also in the intellectual sense.
On the physical side, Capoeira has the potential to:
• Increase agility
• Improve balance and coordination,
• Increase flexibility and mobility, strengthen tendons, ligaments
and bones
• Strengthen and define the entire musculature
• Increase power and general physical resistance,
• Discipline respiration
• Increase the speed of reflexes
• Improve posture From the intellectual and psychological point of view, Capoeira
• Fine-tunes concentration,
• Increases self-confidence
• Practices self-control and tames impulsive behaviour
• Teaches self-respect and respect for others
• Encourages creativity and an individualistic expression through
music and movement
• Teaches the history and culture of Brazil
• Preaches a free and equal existence of the peoples of the
world and is based on the principles of fairness, respect, responsibility
and freedom
• Enables players to see their own progression and achievements
through time |
