Hey all! Thanks Aaron and Ashley for commenting...i think the both of you are the only ones reading this. keke! It's weird, but I truly think of u both as my siblings rather than friends. haha...ok ok...before i get all emotional here...i better get to the point at hand...
Capoeira. The reason I'm writing about this today is because my batizado (grading) is coming up this sunday. I actually missed my training today, and was rather disappointed about it, but I am looking on the positive side of things...i mean, for all I know, I could have been kicked in the jaw or an accident could have happended at training causing all my remaining teeth to fall out (i just removed 3 wisdom teeth). ok ok...maybe not that dramatic, but I trust it was for my good. Yeah, so this weekend is supposed to be filled with workshops and stuff leading up to the big day on sunday, when i can finally change my belt (going from level 2 to 3).
"So, is capoeira a dance or martial art?"
Haha! This is a recurring joke among capoeiristas since its what we get asked all the time. Well, here's a brief history. Capoeira was a martial art brought from africa to brazil in the 16th century by the slaves during the colonial period. Capoeira is said to have its roots in Africa, but was developed in Brazil. Because martial arts or any fighting form was banned by the Portuguese colonists, capoeira was mixed with acrobatics, music and dance to fool them. So, in its essence, capoeira is a fighting art, not a dance. Back then, blades were tied to capoeiristas' feet, causing each kick, whether circular or linear, to become deadly. Because of this, capoeiristas hardly block attacks, but choose to evade them. However, in our modern day and age, this practice has become extinct, and only demonstrated in cultural shows in brazil.
"So what's modern day capoeira like?"
Well, this depends a lot on the capoeirista himself and the group he trains with. For example, some groups prefer to focus on the beauty of the art and the flow of the game, and others focus only on the fighting aspects of the art. Besides this, it also depends a lot on the rhythm of the roda (circle where capoeira is played-pronounced 'ho-da'). Certain rhythms may require fancy moves and pure acrobatics, yet others require take-downs and violent kicks. And to dispell the myth, yes, there is contact in capoeira. In fact, you can have as much contact as you want. However, just remember, that if you punch someone in the face, then he can do the same to you.
"What is a roda like?"
Well, all the capoeiristas gather together in a circle, with the orchestra on one end. The orchestra consists of the berimbau (a brazilian instrument), pandeiro (tambourine), and atabaque (bongo drums). The mestre will the start singing a song, to which everyone in the roda will respond to. He will then give the go-ahead to start playing. 2 players will then move to the berimbau and from there shake hands and enter the circle. However, it is important to note that from the moment you shake your opponents hand, the game has started. If he decides to elbow you there and then, it is your responsibility to react. Other players can then buy the game to enter the roda whenever they want to.
"What's malandragem?"
Malandragem is a main part of capoeira that makes it unique to other martial arts. Capoeira was born on the streets of brazil where there were no rules of engagement. In other words, anything goes! So, deft and trickery (malandragem), are an essential part of capoeira. You can even pretend to poke your opponents eyes, causing him to blink, and then employ a take-down.
"How many types of capoeira are there?"
There are many different types of capoeira. Out of these, there are 2 main types: angola and regional. Angola is a very ritualistic and traditional form of capoeira. Movements are low to the ground and the game is often slow but extremely tricky. Blink and your opponents may untie your shoelace!! Angoleiros often wear yellow shirts and black pants.
Regional (he-gio-now) was developed by Mestre Bimba. He incorporated more kicks and take-downs into capoeira as he felt angola could be improved. Besides this, he also made all his students wear clean white pants and shirts to separate capoeira from the idea that it is only for the lower classes of society (until then capoeira had only been practised by gangsters, soldiers, police, murderers, thugs etc). Giving it a better image, soon doctors, lawyers and teachers also started learning the art.
Well, that was a pretty long post. Hope you enjoyed the history lesson! Lemme know if anyone has any questions. Until next time...
That's me, Ash, and Rungano...Ash and Rungano are med students that just started doing capoeira :)
Me vs Instructor Adam
Yasmin vs Anna (Yasmin is also a med student, and has been doing capoeira for about 2 years)
Formado James vs Anna (James teaches the capoeira classes at Bond Uni...his acrobatics is pretty good)
The class, with Instructora Gaivota trying to strangle me!
Tony and Dave (a.k.a Gung Fu -the angmoh that is more asian than most asians). If u can't figure out what's happening, well, they are hanging horizontally just using their arms! Insane rite?!?
Sarah doing a version of queda de rins (standing on kidneys)
Andrew Meyes (a.k.a. Envergado) doing mortal (back sommersault)
Gung Fu again!
And that's moi (a.k.a. curumim)!
