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Art of Capoeira
African slaves in Brazil perfected Capoeira (Pronounced
'kah-poe-air-ah') 400 hundred years ago as a way to resist the
oppression of the Portuguese. Music and dancing were incorporated
to provide concealment, allowing the slaves to play unhindered.
Capoeira has played an important part in shaping the culture of
Brazil.
Modern day Capoeira is an up-tempo, fast-paced,
fluid game known as Contemporânea,
(A Portuguese term meaning "Contemporary"), which is
what we play here at Capoeira Malês. Our contemporary roots
trace back to a rough and tumble version of capoeira called Old
School, also known as "Regional" (Pronounced 'heh-shon-al').
Capoeira Regional was practiced for many years in the neighborhoods
of Brazil's towns and cities.
Today, Capoeira is practiced on every continent
and continues to gain recognition as a means of liberation from
the barriers people impose on themselves. Capoeira combines the
raw excitement of music, dancing, fighting, and gravity defying
acrobatics. The term given to people who practice the art of Capoeira
is 'Capoeirista'.
The game of Caporeira is played inside a Roda
(meaning 'circle', pronounced "hoe-da") comprised of
of several capoeiristas. Some rodas can be very large, consisting
of up to 40 or 50 participants. The tempo in the roda is set using
a unique
musical combination of drums, tambourines, singing, and most
importantly, a one-stringed instrument called a berimbau.
Capoeira, does not focus on inflicting attacks
upon an opponent, but rather it is a "conversation"
between two individuals. Each move is responded to by a defensive
move, an offensive move, or most often, a combination of both.
This is what gives Capoeira its dance-like quality.
Similar to the way a sensei leads a dojo, a mestre
leads a school of Capoeira. Mestres practice for many years, perfecting
their art through learning and teaching. There are several levels
in Capoeira, beginning with professors, then moving to contra
mestres, before finally reaching the level of mestre.
Every year "Batizados" are held, where
Capoeiristas from all around converge on a three day celebration.
Literally meaning "baptism", Batizados serve the purpose
of bringing the Capoeira community together for fellowship, learning
and recognition. New Capoeiristas earn their cordas (belt), and
a Capoeira nickname if they haven't already earned one.
To learn more about Capoeira see our links
page, containing information about some of the exciting schools
and Mestres involved in the art.
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