21 October 2004

Capoeira

Capoeira has a very interesting and somewhat disputed history. It originated as a martial art brought to Brazil by Angolan slaves, who subsequently disguised it as a dance to avoid the detection of the slave masters who understandably didn't want their slaves practicing martial arts. I was informed recently that the reason capoeira relies on dodges instead of blocks, and involves so many circular kicks, is that the masters used to hold blades in their toes. Thus, a slashing kick to the head/neck region became lethal. Capoeira was banned in Brazil for quite a while under the military dictatorship (I'm forgetting dates as usual) at the beginning of the 20th century. Most of the great capoeira masters were sent to the front in a war with Paraguay and killed. One of the few surviving masters was named Bimba, and he founded the capoeira regional style. There is a song with the chorus: "Bimba, Bimba, Bimba, criador do Regional; Bimba, Bimba, Bimba, tocador do berimbau." Literally "Bimba... creator of the Regional (style); Bimba... berimbau player." Mestre Bimba convinced the government to lift the ban on capoeira, and under his leadership the dying art regained a large following throughout Brazil, although the true home of capoeira remains in Salvador. I have been studying capoeira regional at Espaco Crianca Esperanca. Note on style: Capoeira regional is generally much flashier (ie resembles breakdancing) than capoeira angola. Most capoerists have a distinct preference for one style over the other, but they'll still play together if invited to the same roda.

There is a class for kids before mine. They were practicing maculele- another dance/martial art from angolan slaves. Two sticks (or machetes if you're cool) are knocked against each other to the beat. Usually you play with a partner and hit your stick against theirs every fourth count.

I wasn't going to take a picture of Sonic until he tried to hide. He's been playing capoeira for about two years, and is quite good. I like playing with him because he'll adapt his speed to whatever his opponent can handle, and try to get new players to experiment.

Every class ends with a roda. There were a lot of kids on this day, probably because it was Sabrina's birthday so they got cake at the end. Someone seems to have a birthday every week or so.

The two players about to start traditionally crouch in front of the berimbau. Often they will touch the bottom of the berimbau and make the sign of the cross in a prayer for safety in the circle. I couldn't get any good pictures without using a flash, and that was highly disruptive to the kids class, and somewhat dangerous in the adult class, so I don't have any other pictures of the roda.

This was the closest they could get to having all the kids sit still for a picture. You would not believe the chaos created by pulling out a camera. Everyone wants their picture taken, but if you try to step back far enough to get them in the frame, someone else jumps in front. Turns into a game of leap frog.

Andrea is one of the better women in the group. She's dating one of the instructors, which probably helps. They seem to have a very loving relationship that involves a lot of wrestling and kicks to the head. Oh, and the kid in the front of the previous picture is her little brother.

One of the quasi-instructors, Ricardo, has started playing a game in which he scores a point by throwing me on the ground. Considering the fact that he's only about one cord away from mestre, I think I'm doing pretty well. My anti-showering skills come in handy.

This one didn't count because it was orchestrated for the camera. :-P

Tried to get a picture with me and the instructors, and the entire group jumped in. The three black guys in the back are the instructors. Left to right: Ricardo, Fabricio, and Roger. The white guy on the end is Diogo, an exchange student from Stanford.

The capoeira girls (and the boys who wouldn't go away). Wish I had a memory for names. Behind me is Gabriela, and then Andrea again. They are all total sweethearts!

Sydney is the only real mestre of the group, although the blue-belts teach most of the classes.

Did I mention that trying to take pictures was pure chaos? Yeah, this is how the majority of them actually turned out.

This is Wellison, also known as Nene. He's one of the highly acrobatic kids who plays with the adult class. Everyone seems to love him.

Another of the kids who is skilled enough to join the adult class. They are, predictably, better than most of the adults. :-p

I learned how to play the drum properly today! Also got a berimbau lesson. They may look like simple instruments, but it takes quite a bit of skill to make the right sounds. Um, I don't actually know why the kids were carrying the drum around upside down.

Sydney looking serious.

And another serious look. But he wanted pictures, so here they are...

It turns out that there are quite a few throws in capoeira. I'm not sure this was part of the original style, or if they developed more recently. I think Wellison was just showing off his flexibility here.

Everyone had to have their turn.

Look, I'm a bunny rabbit! (And Ricardo's pretty cute, ne?)

Well, if you made it this far, you get a description of the cord levels (they use cords instead of belts)! Apparently the colors depend on the group, but in our group they are Brazil's colors: green, yellow, and blue. Newbies start out with white, then advance through green, green/yellow, yellow, yellow/blue, and finally blue. The mestre cord is a weave of all three colors. The advancement ceremony is called a batezado, and only happens once or twice a year.