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Capoeira
Capoeira can best be descried as an Afro-Brazilian dance form that incorporates
self-defense maneuvers.
Capoeira first originated in Palmares, Brazil when a group of runaway slaves
from Africa formed a very rich cultural community sharing and learning from
each other their dance, rituals, religion, and games. One result of this rich
cultural fusion was Capoeira in its earliest form, a variation of dance developed
from a martial art that began in the 16th centaury. After years of alterations
Capoeira eventually incorporated music and singing to disguise the fact that
the slaves were practicing a deadly martial art.
Many people see Capoeira as a martial art, others as a dance, and there are
also those people who believe that it is their religion and cultural identity.
The description of Capoeira varies according to people's personalities. Capoeira
blends elements of dance, music, rituals, acrobatics, and fighting and has the
native Brazilian Indian name given to a small partridge whose male is very jealous
and engages in fierce fights with its rivals over its partner.
The perception of Capoeira, with its blend of; dance, music, rituals, acrobatics,
and fighting is thought to be dependant on the personality of each person who
performs it, and anyone can find some form of identity in Capoeira.
A person who lives in a big city will probably see Capoeira as a martial art
or as a form of self-defense, because of the intensity of the city, and the
challenges that he faces. Other who live in a small community, untouched by
certain aspects of the world may empathize with its singing and dance content
more, due to their peaceful lifestyle. However Brazilian people first called
Capoeira a game, and Capoeira is played, not fought.
To understand Capoeira it is first necessary to understand the Roda. The Roda
is in essence a circle where music is played, and everyone sings and claps while
two players interact in the center. The leading instrument is a berimbau (a
musical instrument with a gourd resonator and a single steel wire stretched
across a long pole or stick). Also played in the Roda are a drum called an atabaque
and a tambourine, known as a pandeiro. The circle is the most exciting part
of the Capoeira
The game of Capoeira requires the use of intuition and foresight and does not
rely solely on the use of physical strength. During the game the capoeiristas
(people who take part) skillfully expose the limitations of their opponents
and engage in playful attacks and counterattacks thus better enabling themselves
to discover their personal power,
The subtle blending of gymnastics and dance moves make the Capoeira a game
unique in the world of martial arts, challenging the player to amicably meld
together in a powerful flow the balance and flexibility of acrobatics, the grace
and strength of dance, the speed and cunning of the fight, and the rhythms of
the music. If these powerful components of the Capoeira are isolated, the essence
of Capoeira is effectively lost.
Just about anyone can enjoy Capoeira. To really enjoy Capoeira you need to
wear good pants, that are incredibly durable, breathable, stretchable and do
not stick to the body.
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