The Origins of Capoeira
How African Slaves Disguised Martial Art as Dance
From Slaves to Fighters
After Portugal discovered Brazil in 1500, approximately four million African slaves were sent there during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, Brazil has the largest Black population after Nigeria. Though they suffered much oppression during the slave trade, the slaves in Brazil held onto some of their culture and created a style of acrobatic fighting while they worked on the sugar cane plantations throughout the country. However, they had to conceal its true identity in order to avoid suspicion so they disguised it as a dance.
The Capoeira Technique
Mastering the malandro or trick of Capoeira was very important because the slaves had to deceive their oppressors by making Capoeira look like a folkloric dance. Since actual combat would have intimidated the oppressors, the slaves never made contact with the other opponent while practising in public. Rather they would use fast, evasive movements with their hands and feet while dodging blows from another opponent. Capoeira soon became an expression of freedom for African slaves and a way to fight their oppressors in any attempt of a revolt.
As Capoeira became more widely practised, the slaves would perform together in a circle -- a roda -- and sing folk songs in Portuguese, the official language of Brazil. The music was important because it contributed to the energy of the game. A soloist would direct the singing while the chorus followed. Instruments were eventually incorporated into the game, including the berimbau, agogô, and reco-reco. The songs' lyrics would either tell stories about Capoeira, encourage the players to boost their energy, or give the capoeirista specific manoeuvring instructions in the game. Like slavery itself, Capoeira would not exist without the musical aspect.
The Division of Capoeira
It wasn't until the 1890s when Brazil outlawed Capoeira and punished anyone who was caught practising it. However, it was soon decriminalized in the 1930s and quickly became a sensation throughout Brazil's poor population. It could be seen practised on the streets in large circles without hesitation. Capoeira masters, or mestres in Portuguese, took it upon themselves to pass on this tradition to other generations.
Two major styles of Capoeira were created by Mestre Pastinha and Mestre Bimba. Mestre Bimba developed Capoeira Regional which adopted a more modern style using fast movements and was taught under a national academy. Mestre Pastinha's style, Capoeira Angola, was known as a folkloric game with slower movements. It was Capoeira Regional which eventually spread more quickly throughout Brazil once it entered São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Capoeira Today
Capoeira survived 500 years later and is still practised not only in Brazil, but all over the world. Today it is practised mostly under the Regional style where students join an academy and are initiated into the Capoeira culture. Although it is not as popular as it is in Brazil, Capoeira academies can also be found in cities across Europe and North America. Recently, Capoeira techniques were choreographed into a performance that was broadcast on the reality series So You Think You Can Dance Canada. In Canada, Toronto seems to be the central hub for Capoeira schools, though they can be found in several cities across the country.
Sources:
Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed. Dir. Graham Booth. DVD. Image Entertainment, 2007.
Capoeiristas
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles