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Capoeira is vibrant and vivacious form of martial art that combines dance and gentle acrobatic movements with ritual elements inherited from African and Brazilian heritage.

Originally, Capoeira was brought to South America by slaves from Angola around 16th century. It’s one of the rare martial arts that uses music as an equal element of dramaturgy.

Illustration by J. M. Rugendas taken from Capoeira history

The performative structure is based around roda, a space form of circle created by participants (I can bet, you see here elements of African rituals, street gatherings and games like in Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, etc.).

For those involved into mythology, anthropology or theatrology this won’t be something new, because almost all ancient rituals around the globe were based on circle. It’s practically a substance of most mythologies on every continent.

Capoeiristas take their turns in roda either playing musical instruments (berimbau, atabaque and tambourine), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle.

Photo by Ziggy_Zaz

It’s formed as game where songs are sung in a call and response format while others are in the form of a narrative, sometimes singing storiez on famous capoeiristas or creating new lines, in order to motivate themselves for new forms.

Capoeira could be also performed indoors, and has been accepted as an equal dancing technique in art schools and academies. It has several forms and styles formed through almost  five centuries: traditional and modern. Traditional is Capoeira Angola, while modern are Capoeira regional and Capoeira Contemporânea.

Wanna be Capoeiristas today?!

Your teacher is gonna be Roberto Tapia (Bucho), well known for his classes among dancers and choreographers…

Capoeira – Introduction

Basic Steps – Ginga

Basic Defenses & Attacks: Esquiva Baixa & Media Lua

Basic Defenses & Attacks: Quiexada & Esquiva Media Alta

Basic Defenses & Attacks: Meia Lua Pressa & Cocorinha

Acrobatics – Cartwheel

To be continued…