Luandaê in English

Capoeira for foreigners

Are you planning a trip to Brazil and would like to experience the art of Capoeira as it really is?

Master Luizinho invites you to visit or even attend capoeira classes in his school in Santo André - SP which is 20 minutes from São Paulo downtown

Address:  Rua Ademar de Barros, 9 - 3º Piso do Extra Ipiranguinha - Santo André
Phones:  11 55 4992-3333 ou 11 55 993213900  (Mestre Luizinho)

Further information: rbmarc2000@yahoo.com.br

Capoeira and its secrets

By Marcos Oliveira 

 

Who is capoeira for?

 

The old capoeira masters used to say that capoeira is everything and for everybody. For children, man, women, young and old people. You just have to be willing to learn about yourself and life.
Nowadays, Capoeira is used as therapy in Down´s treatment, entertainment for elderlies and as a great educational tool for children.

What are the origins of Capoeira?

Some say capoeira came from Africa with the slaves but it´s much more reasonable to think that capoeira was created in Brazil during the slavery time (1530-1888). Considering that African slaves were taken to other countries in both America and Europe and this art cannot be found anywhere else in the world but in Brazil, It´s correct to say that Capoeira is genuinely Brazilian. It isn´t clear how it was created. Some may it was a variation of an African dance mixed with Brazilian indigenous dances and others might even believe it was a martial art developed in the “Quilombos” as a weapon to protect its boundaries.

Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional.

Mestre Bimba (creator of Capoeira Regional) and Mestre Pastinha (icon of Capoeira Angola)

Capoeira Angola is usually played very close to the ground and It was the Capoeira style played for long time after slavery on the streets and ghettos of cities like Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It was quite disorganized and violent when “Mestre Pastinha” founded the “Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola” in 1941.

Capoeira Regional was created in about 1930 by “Mestre Bimba”. He was capoeira fighter but he wanted capoeira to be more competitive in comparison with other martial arts. So, he redesigned it in a way that fighters could stand and face the opponent while fighting. That´s the capoeira style known world wide for its kicks and acrobatics.

Both Capoeira Angola and Regional are practiced in Brazil and other countries nowadays and Mestre Pastinha and Mestre Bimba (both have already passed away) are the greatest icons of their arts.

Capoeira and Music

Capoeiristas playing in a "roda"

It´s nearly impossible to think about capoeira without rhythm. The movements are mainly led by an instrument called “berimbau” and also the “atabaque” and pandeiro (a type of tambourine). In addition, a singer sings along verses of traditional capoeira songs. The songs are about capoeira lifestyle, local culture, the nature, religious beliefs. They also tell the “capoeiristas” how to behave in the “roda”, whether they need to attack, defend, accelerate or slow the game down. The music in Capoeira is an essential part of it.

Capoeira hierarchy

Still in 2011, capoeira keeps old rules and concepts of its African ancestors. Disciples follow and respect the master´s rules and are surprisingly loyal to them. Many people find it difficult to figure out when they start practicing it because it is not usual in today´s world. A beginner has to respect older practitioners, older practitioners have to respect teachers and so on.