Capoeira
Capoeira is a combination of dance, ritual, and martial arts that developed out of the Portugese trade of African slaves to Brazil during the 16th century. Capoeira was illegal in Brazil until the 1930's. The ritual game begins with two players squatting in a circle, or
roda, of spectators. The players rest at the feet of a single-stringed instrument, or
berimbau, and one player sings a
commencement song. The other player can sing in response or remain silent to allow the first player to sing the announcement that the game has started. The musician at the berimbau then picks up the song as the players move to the center of the circle. The lead berimbauist is the
Mestre, or master of the
capoeira game. The roda chants, sings, and drums under the direction of the Mestre. The players and the Mestre carry on a dialogue during the game; the music sets
the tempo for the tricks that a player can use. A player may also improvise his movements according to the musical commentary the Mestre gives to his performance. The Mestre in turn may play music that reflects the players' attitudes, reactions and strategies.
Capoeira
by carioca on Feb 06, 2007 06:22:25
A
Brazilian form of dance "fighting." This is offten thought of as a Brazilian
martial art, but that is wrong.
Capoeira was created by the Brazilian slaves who were trying to escape being whipped. It was not at all intended to bring harm to anyone, and that is why in
capoeira matches the 2 (or 1) people dont even touch eachother; they dodge.
capoeira
by Hiena on May 11, 2005 01:48:54
Afro-brazilian martial art of unclear origin. Many believe that it was an adapted fighting style, hidden behind the guise of dance to fool captors due to the learning of self defense amongst slaves was forbidden (since they did not want the slaves to present a threat to them, or to injure themselves and thus become uneconomical); or merely the
adaption of the 'Lions Dance' - a ritual performed in certain parts of africa during the rite of
ascention when a boy became a man (to atract females through prowess and physical ability) and still others believe other things. There is numerous evidence for and against each theory presented. What we do however know is that
Capoeira is a graceful art, half fighting and half dancing, closely linked to the learning and performance of not only the lethal attacks, the mind-defying 'style moves' and the playing of instruments: such as the
berimbau (long, wooden, single-stringed instrument with a gourd near the bottom played by striking the string).