Portuguese for Capoeiristas (http://www.portugueseforcapoeiristas.com) uses capoeira songs as a base for learning Portuguese. Each lesson includes capoeira song…
Capoeira
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance.
It was believed to have been created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa sometime after the sixteenth century. The actual origin however is unknown. While many believe it to have been developed in Brazil, others believe it originated in Africa.
Some interpretations emphasize capoeira as a fighting style designed for rebellion, but disguised by a façade of dance. Many consider it a warrior’s dance that was done by the slaves that escaped their masters outside the cities. Slaves in Brazil were commonly shackled at the wrists, restricting them from using their hands, which could explain why there are very minimal hand strikes associated with Capoiera.
The ginga (meaning: rocking back and forth; to swing) is the fundamental movement in capoeira. It is accomplished by maintaining both feet approximately shoulder-width apart and then moving one foot backwards and then back to the base, describing a triangular step on the ground. This movement is done to prepare the body for other movements.
The rest of the body is also involved in the ginga: coordination of the arms (in such a way as to prevent the body from being kicked), torso (many core muscles may be engaged depending on the player’s style), and the leaning of the body (forward and back in relation to the position of the feet; the body leans back to avoid kicks, and forward to create opportunities to show attacks). The overall movement should match the rhythm being played by the bateria.
Participants form a circle (or roda), and take turns either playing musical instruments, singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. Music is integral to capoeira. It sets the tempo and style of game that is to be played within the roda. The sparring consists of fluid acrobatic play, feints, takedowns, and extensive use of leg sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. The setting of traps or illusory movements are very common. Body throws, punches, slaps and strikes are less frequently used.
The focus of Capoeira is not to injure your opponent, but rather, to emphasizes skill. Capoeiristas often prefer to show the movement without completing it, enforcing their superiority in the roda. If an opponent cannot dodge a slow attack, there is no reason to use a faster one. Each attack that comes in gives players a chance to practice an evasive technique.
In the mid-1970s masters of the art form—mestre capoeiristas, began to emigrate and teach capoeira in the United States, Canada, and other countries. At this time Capoeira in Brasil was still only practiced mainly among the poorest and blackest of Brazilians. Eventually, this stigma with which it was historically associated in Brazil had diminished.
Today there are many capoeira schools all over the world and has attracted a broad spectrum of multicultural, multiracial students. Capoeira has gained popularity among non-Brazilian and non-African practitioners partly due to its incredible fluidity of its movements.
Capoeira Resistencia may have started here… In Recife, a group of 40 slaves rebelled against their master, killed the white workers and burned down the plantation house. (…)
Courtesy of xaracdo.
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Courtesy of xaracdo.
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