Fri 30 Oct 2009
Raices do Brasil/Roots of Brazil Capoeira Madison is one of several schools in the United States that is spreading the popularity of this rythmic and active Afro-Brazilian art form. Capoeira is sprung from the sugar cane plantations and culture of African slaves in Brazil. One reason for its popularity today in Brazil and other terminals of the African diaspora is the fact that it was an illicit practice only practiced in secret during the slave era.
Director/Instructor Dominic Stryker — also known as Professor Sabidinha — and four students of the school explained and demonstrated capoeira at an appearance on the UW-Whitewater campus on Oct. 26. Their visit was sponsored by a grant from the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UW-Milwaukee.
Better than any written explanation could ever do, the demonstration displayed the complex give-and-take of the movements between the two weaving, kicking, and twirling participants in the middle of the roda, or circle. A video of the presentation is available here as a movie download from itunesU site for UW–Whitewater. The authentic instruments, including the bowstring-and-gourd berimbao, also provided the live sensation of the rythmic heart to the action.
Instructor and director Dominic explained that different people are attracted to capoeira for one of its many facets, such as its roots in Afro-Brazilian nationalism or the martial arts feel. But since all participants share in all the drumming, singing, and moving that involves capoeira, they eventually embrace the other aspects as well.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:44 am
From Sydney Divelbiss:
Capoeira is known to be an Afro-Brazilian art from that combines a variety of elements. Our class was fortunate enough to not only learn but participate with a group of Capoeiran dancers. They introduced us to the three major components of Capoeira which helped explain that it is not only a dance but a cultural aspect.
The first major element is martial arts. Capoeira is able to incorporate martial arts moves in the dance. This influence dates back to the time when African slaves were being brought over to Brazil. Many slaves were able to learn and teach these moves in order to escape from their harsh lives. Luckily, when slavery was banned in the 1860’s the Africans were able to look upon Capoeira as a fun dance. During the dancer’s presentation they were also able to present us with the second element which is music. Without the music, the dance was lifeless. Lastly, dance is the final component summarizing Capoeira. African slaves use to disguise Capoeira as a dance in order to continue teaching it.
A question that occurred to me during this presentation was how do the dancers learn to read each other? It’s obvious that this dance takes lots of practice but the instructor also indicated that a lot of it is trust. The two players have to learn to trust each other fully and completely and to also be on their toes and alert at all times.
This presentation relates to our discussions in class on cultures and different tribal dances. One specific case was when Alma Guillermoprieta gave her lecture on how to represent your culture with dignity and respect. She discussed how being Mexican entitles someone to be every part of their culture. She spoke about the significance of the dances in Mexico and how they are a symbol of culture rather than entertainment. Capoeira spoke to me and sent messages of hope and faith. This dance is special and secret and it’s something that everyone can learn. It’s a part of the African culture that the Americans can be a part of.
October 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Raizes do Brazil came to demonstrate the art of Capoeira. They talked about the history as well. It is a martial art that is a part of Brazilian culture. The Africans that were brought over for slavery created this form of art. It was very popular in maroon societies. The Africans of these societies would purposely be recaptured so that they could teach capoeira to others and help them escape. In 1832 slavery was abolished and the art became illegal. The art was disguised as a “dance”. They also gave nicknames to the participators so that eavesdroppers couldn’t report someone to the authorities. Then in 1937, Master Bimba, who was a teacher, took the art of the streets and cleaned it up. He told his students that they were not allowed to drink or smoke if they participated. His goal was to make it O.K. for society.
Then they showed us the dance. They said that the beat of the music commanded the movements. Some word’s that I learned were Angola which means a slower version of the art, and Jinga is the word for the basic movement. I thought they did a great job. It was really neat to see. I would never have known this even existed until now. A question I would have asked would have been, “What are the sticks that are laying on the ground for?” They showed us that they were used in a different style of art. Another thing I found interesting was all the different instruments and how they all have their own job, and without them the music is totally different. It was so neat to hear the music and feel the African origin and then realize that it was an art in Brazil.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
When Roots of Brazil performed for our small class last Monday, it was not my first encounter with the Brazilian martial arts. I had seen Capoeira performed before in the streets of downtown Orlando when I lived there. The Capoeira I witnessed in Orlando was a little different than the Capoeira that was demonstrated to us in class. At first I was confused how the two dances could be different, but Dominic explained to us that there are different styles of Capoeira-such as Angola and Jinga, and that Capoeira varied by regions in Brazil. How funny that Capoeira is also regional in the United States!
Almost all the aspects of Capoeira are meant to preserve African tradition-like the martial arts and the music-so I was very surprised that the singing was all done in Portuguese. Why is the language, which is usually very important to a culture, of Capoeira in Portuguese and not native African?
I am also left to wonder if Santeria is directly related to Capoeira. Santeria is the African/Catholic religion that is very popular with Afro-Latinos in the Caribbean and Brazil. Since they both are meant to save African traditions, I would think that the same persons who would practice Capoeira would practice Santeria.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Capoeira is a type of dance originating from the African population in Brazil whom where brought to Brazil as slaves for the sugarcane plantations. Capoeira is a dance of trickery. The dance was created as a way for slaves to practice martial arts techniques in preparation to runaway or to use as self defense without their owners realizing what they were doing. It was also a way to communicate and socialize in secrecy because all members were given a nickname. During Capoeira, two individuals are encircled by other members and play a game of kicking and dodging. The members in the circle play instruments and sing to create a rhythm that the individuals in the center can fluidly move to; creating the appearance of a dance instead of physical training. Capoeira is physical and mentally challenging, a great way to socialize, and way of expression through music and dance.
The development of Capoeira demonstrates how a culture builds aspects of itself based on history and experiences. Some tribes in Africa had their young men fight each other to win the hearts of the women. This is the first instance of a ritual similar to contemporary Capoeira. Then, as slaves were brought to Brazil, it was a way of discreetly practicing martial arts and organizing runaways to create maroon societies. Because of the association with Africans, Capoeira was considered a criminal act until 1937, but today it has gained popularity again and developed into three distinct styles. It is truly a cultural aspect of Brazil that the population can be proud of, especially the Afro-Brazilians, because of its rich history as a story of triumph and expression within an oppressed population.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
The Capoeira group, Raizes do Brazil, was very informational and entertaining. They explained the history of the dance and also performed it for us.
Capoeira was first created by the African slaves that were working on the sugar plantations. It was derived from mock fight dances and was turned into more of a martial arts. Since Capoeira was illegal, slaves would disguise it into a dance so that they could practice without being caught. Another way to protect themselves from being caught was using nicknames. They would make up names for themselves that really meant nothing so that when others were speaking of them they did not give away anyones true identities.
Capoeira has evolved a great deal since it originated. There are three main styles, but almost every group differs in the way in which they move or play the music.
I believe this presentation ties into our class because it is an example of blended cultures. Capoeira was created by Africans and then adopted and practiced by the Latin Americans.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
One question that I was wondering was if any of the dancers were Brazilian and why they decided to join the Raizes do Brazil.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Our Latin Studies Class was very fortunate to have a group of students from Madison demonstrate the art of Capoeira. Watching the students who study Capoeira, I couldn’t help but notice the skill and talent it takes. To perform Capoeira it is best if you are younger, have a clear mind, and very flexible. On lookers may think of Capoeira as a fighting dance, but that it doesn’t tell the complete story.
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that was created by Afro Brazilians during the time of slavery. Capoeira is a dance that involves complete concentration to avoid kicks and dodge the person you are dancing with. There are many aspects to Capoeira such as dance, song, and instruments are the main contents. Members of Capoeira have to be both physically and mentally fit.
Brought over from Africa to South America, young men would use the dance to win over women’s affections. Many slaves would also use Capoeira to fight and escape their owners. Some slaves would get recaptured and then use Capoeira to help other slaves escape. Capoeira was illegal until 1937 because after slavery ended the black culture was still suppressed and remained underground.
The students from Madison gave a very good presentation on Capoeira. They demonstrated that a group of people would gather in a circle and clap and sing while two people danced with a series of kicks and dodges. One person would throw a slow kick to the other, and the other would dodge the kick. There is little to no contact in the dance. The dancers need to have complete concentration; they need to be aware of the kicks and not to kick someone in the circle.
The whole art is quite interesting.
Capoeira helps people stay focused and at the same time physically fit. Someone ask the question if Capoeira is ever used for self defense? A Capoeira student said “although Capoeira could be used and would have great affect in fighting, no one does use it for self defense; many use it just for fun and health.”
The reasons why was invented Capoeira is closely similar to the movie Romero. In both cases there was resentment against authority figures for the unfair and abusive treatment to others. Archbishop Romero fights against terror campaign the government is using, which results in his murder. And Capoeira was used for slaves to rebel and escape their imprisonment in slave plantations. One question I did have, if more people knew about Capoeira, would there me more interest in the art.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Capoeira is a form of Brazilian martial arts in which ten to twenty form a circle, some grab musical instruments such as drums, a type of stringed instrument made from branches, and simple sticks that you knock together, and practice their martial arts while hiding it as a dance but having fun at the same time. The Africans that were brought over for slavery created this art form. Because of the strictness of the camps they were in, they had no means of training their strength. Thinking this would prevent a rebellion, slave masters would not allow them to do any physical activity in their fun time. The slaves created an ingenious way to disguise their martial arts training as a form of dance. After slavery was abolished, Capoeira became an extremely friendly and fun form of martial arts. As we saw in the presentation, it is a great way for middle-aged people to stay in shape and meet new people.
One of the main questions I had was: What made Capoeira so special that it went from a slave game to what it has become today (Maybe too broad of a question)?
This presentation relates to our discussions in class on the blending of cultures. This African dance was part of their culture and has grown into a national sensation while sticking to the basics it was founded on. We, as Americans, can take part in Capoeira without feeling guilty that we are doing so. In the end, the great thing is that everyone can be apart of it.