| Developed in the 17th century by African slaves who were brought to Brazil to work on sugar-cane and tobacco plantations, capoeira (pronounced cap-where-ah) is a martial art that was originally born and practiced in secret. The overseers had forbidden their slaves to take up arms or practice fighting, and so capoeira conceals itself in the playful rhythms of a childlike folk dance.
The capoeiristas rock back and forth in a trance-like state, crouching, cart-wheeling, lunging, kicking and spinning through dance moves with evocative names like "the crab’s mouth" and "the stingray’s tail." Beautiful in appearance, yet deadly in application, capoeira uses the natural physics of the human body to deliver amazingly swift sweeps and crushing blows. Laws prohibiting the practice of the art were in effect until 1920, and Mestre, or master, Bimba, one of capoeira’s most influential teachers, opened the first legal capoeira school in 1937.
The action between participants is not termed "fighting," but "playing." Contemporary schools tend to emphasize the cultural enrichment offered by the art, as well as its mental and physical fitness aspects. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves and to learn how to play the jogo, or game.
At the top of the roda, or circle, of capoeira play, is the bateria, which is an ensemble of musicians and singers. Music is one of the most important elements in the practice of capoeira as it creates the atmosphere in which the art is most passionately expressed. It is used to inspire the players to a more intense level of interaction and also used to calm them down when the game has become too heated. There is rarely capoeira without music. The berimbau, a single stringed bow attached to a hollowed out gourd (cabaca), is considered the soul of capoeira.
"The music is an absolutely integral part of the game," says Silvia Rossi, co-founder of Capoeira Aché Brasil Calgary. "The rhythm of the instruments dictates what kind of a game is going to be played.... Lyrics can be improvised, and they’ll change the song to suit what’s actually happening in the circle."
Rossi describes the art as a holistic experience, where people can utilize their individual strengths to their advantage. Whether they’re physically flexible or intellectually devious, students can incorporate their talents into their personal style and strategy.
"We have members in the group whose strong point is singing and retaining lyrics in a language that they don’t speak," says Rossi. "Other students are strong in the use of instruments, and so again they bring a kind of musical strength that’s less related to language and more related to rhythm."
Rossi has combined her efforts with those of fellow discipulo, or disciple, Troy Millington, and together they have formed the capoeira club in Calgary. Over time they have cultivated a following of around 25 members. They offer basic and intermediate level classes throughout the week, and host regular drumming sessions at their school.
"Capoeira represents the fight for freedom, and the fight for everyone to have opportunities. We carry on in that spirit, using capoeira to empower people and to give them an opportunity to build on their strengths in a healthy... environment."
The Calgary-based group is proud to be an affiliated sister-school of the larger Vancouver Academia Capoeira Aché Brasil, which operates under the direction of Mestre Eclilson De Jesus who conducts seminars at the Calgary chapter throughout the year. Millington and Rossi are eager to lend their school’s support to other organizations that work towards promoting Brazilian and Latin culture – they appreciate the importance of maintaining those valuable ties to Brazilian communities abroad, and across Canada.
"We try to create links wherever we can. There is a spiritual side to capoeira where someone might have strength in their life experience and the ability to relate capoeira to life outside the capoeira circle."
The expense of arranging special guest lecturers and presenting cultural activities has prompted Calgary’s capoeira academy to become involved in promotional fund-raising events such as the upcoming Latin Fever! exhibition at the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Centre. This special evening will feature dancing, music and, of course, capoeira demonstrations. Mestre De Jesus will be in attendance with his special performance troupe, and will perform the capoeira courtship dance known as the samba de roda. Latin musical sensation Bomba will entertain the crowd, and acclaimed Latin dance instructors David Joseph and Kelly Lannan will be performing a salsa dance routine.
Advance tickets available at Megatunes, Sam the Record Man locations, and Dragon’s Den Martial Arts Supplies. For info call 714-8612 or visit the Web site at www.capoeiraachebrasilcalgary.ca. |
