What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is a fun and exciting sport. It is a mixture of body and soul, fighting and dancing, of music instruments and voice requiring the use of mental physical and emotional agility. The emphasis is not on how well you sing or perform but on how much energy you commit to trying.
Origins of Capoeira
In April 1500 AD, the Portuguese arrived for the first time in Brasil. The indigenous population of Brasil numbered around one million Indians from varying tribes. The Portuguese attempted to enslave a good number of these Indians but found them difficult to catch and very unwilling workers (for obvious reasons). The Portuguese then brought African slaves to Brasils shores in great numbers.
One of the most common forms of work to which they were assigned were the sugar cane plantations. At night, large numbers of slaves were forced into the sleeping quarters called the “Senzala”. These Senzala were often horrendously cramped and unhygienic.
In their continual quest for liberation from the Portuguese, the Africans kept on developing their self defence knowledge. There were many obstacles for them: the Portuguese outlawed any practice fighting and often kept the Africans in shackles and chains. Despite these hurdles they ingeniously continued to develop a style of fighting which could be disguised as a form of dancing and celebration. With music and song to complete the picture, Capoeira had its birth.
Within a movement Capoeira could change from a lethal form of martial art to a graceful acrobat or dance move. The music contained messages of freedom and hope to those still working under the tyranny of the Portuguese.
Due to its adaptability Capoeira continued to go from strength to strength. In 1888 AD, slavery was finally abolished and most of the records of the slaves were also destroyed. This obvious attempt at denying the Africans their history had repercussions that are still felt today.
In terms of Capoeira, there is a question raised by historians and Capoeiristas alike, as to how much of Capoeira was an import from Angola in Africa and how much of it was a new development on Brasilian soil.
The abolition of slavery, decreed by Princess Isabella, did not put an end to Capoeira obstacles. It became an offence to practise Capoeira and the punishment was imprisonment or deportation. This forced the Capoeiristas to practice more secretively and to secure safe areas where they could continue “playing”.
Vicente Ferreira Pastinha - Mestre Pastinha (1889 – 1981)
Manuel dos Reis Machado - Mestre Bimba (1900 – 1974)
For Group Capoeira Brasil, and indeed a number of other groups, two men stood out in their fight to have Capoeira recognised as an honourable and respected entity. These men were Mestre Bimba and Mestre Pastinha. Together they gained Capoeira the support of the public and made Capoeira a household name in Brasil.
Through all these trials the true spirit of Capoeira has prevailed and continues to infuse each player in their search for their own sense of freedom and equality.
Styles of Capoeira
Capoeira Regional
Created by Mestre Bimba (1900-1974), it is the most widely used form of Capoeira.
It is high speed game that employs all the martial art style movements. Some acrobatic and balances can be used although the emphasis is more on the ‘fighting’ moves.
Capoeira Angola
A slower game which contains lots of balances and low to the ground moves. There is high emphasis on grace and beauty of movement.
Mestre Pastinha(1889-1981) a honorable Angola Master together with Mestre Bimba stood out in their fight to have the capoeira practise discriminalised.
Other Capoeira related Games and Dances
Iuna
Iuna is a type of game in Capoeira Regional. Acrobatics is the name of this game. It is a chance to show off all of the great moves that makes Capoeira so spectacular as a spectator sport. No aggressive kicks are to be used, only the three basic kicks. Strictly no contact. Used specifically for Rodas commemorating the death of any famous Capoeirista.
Maculele Dance
Maculele is not a style of capoeira but a folkloric dance which nowadays is incorporated in the teachings of many Capoeira academies. Maculele is a traditional indigenous folk dance/fight which is done with wooden sticks and for more experienced players with sugar cane knives. The rhythm is controlled by the atabaque (drums) and always on the 4th beat the player have to hit his sticks on the opponent stick. Maculele is also known for it’s rich and free body movements.
Origins of Group Capoeira Brasil
Group Capoeira Brasil (in Brasil) was founded by Mestres (masters) Boneco, Paulinho Sabiar and Paulao on the 14th of January 1989. All three men had studied Capoeira for many years before they banded together to start a modernised and organised school of training.
Within the world of Capoeira there are many different groups who adhere to various philosophies and styles of training. Before the foundation of Group Capoeira Brasil, Capoeira existed manly in smaller groups that didn’t have the infrastructure to grow beyond a limited number of students.
One of Group Capoeira Brasil’s first goals was to take Capoeira to new levels of popularity and eventually out into the world. Group Capoeira Brasil is currently one of Brasil’s largest and best recognised schools.
The group now has a branch in most states of Brasil and also in:Rio de Janeiro/Los Angeles (Mestre Boneco), New York (Mestres Cabeça), Holland (Mestre Paulao), Niterói/Paris (Paulinho Sabia) and Australia (Mestre Peixe). In addition the group’s newest black cord belts: Naval, Girino, Cibriba, Kim, Espiga, Curumim, Leo Pivete, Azul, Linguica, Caxias, Tititi, Mindinho, Picapau, Esporinha.
Group Capoeira Brasil is constantly updating its movements and songs to keep abreast of this evolving art form. All of the changes that take place are carefully considered before being introduced; it is only when they will enhance the game that the Mestres will embrace the change.
The group now has a style which is a unique blend of the traditional moves and philosophies with some new elements mixed in. This group strongly respects the foundation and traditions which have built Capoeira and continues to use them in all their teachings.
Within the Capoeira community in Brasil, there are a number of other groups who share a similar style of play. These groups will often invite each other to attend Rodas (games) and Baptizados (grading events) to keep in touch with new developments.
Capoeira in Australia
Mestre Peixe’s group in Sydney, Group Capoeira Brasil is a branch of one of Brasil’s most popular group. Group Capoeira Brasil (in Australia) has been running under Mestre Peixe since 1992.