Jogo de Palavras: the writer and the malandragem by lyw

... The malandragem is designed on a paradox; it makes the truth, at once, illusive yet inevitable. It can be interpreted as negative and positive, but is, by itself, neutral.  Everything is a potential lie and truth.  For example: He said this but he meant that.  She had me go one way, so I would eventually go in another.  Those who wish to find Capoeira’s true nature, whether in the roda or by definition, should expect the very process to involve the malandragem. [click the link for more]

Will the Gringo Win?  by Alastair Thompson
The air was thick and wet and hung down from the roof like a blanket, while music, percussion, and young voices singing, reverberated around the hall. It was nine in the morning. Inside it must have been about a hundred degrees as the sun poured its blessings down on the corrugated tin roof that covered our little gathering.  Little? No, not little. Groups had come from all over São Paulo to take part, and each group had brought its own collection of singing, dancing and chanting fans.  [click the link for more]

Is Capoeira a Dance?

Selections from Capoeira Angola: Do Iniciante Ao Mestre by Mestre Bola Sete translated by Shayna Hughes aka Shadowcat17

	Chapter 6 - Origin of Capoeira Angola: Afro-Brazilian
	Chapter 7 - Final Considerations
	Observations that we must follow in order to acquire a good use of the practice of Capoeira

 

 

 

Two articles by Shayne McHugh aka Shadowcat17:

	Thoughts of a Ronin Capoeirista
	the Great Divide

"A few months back I helped my Mestre do a Capoeira demonstration at Yale University in New Haven, CT. Afterwards I was approached by a writer from the student newspaper who wanted to ask me a few questions in my capacity as Planet Capoeira's editor. I was humbled, thinking I don't very much feel like being in a position to pontificate on things Capoeira. But he sent me a few questions via email a few days later, and I answered them as earnestly as I could. I ran across the answers again a few days ago and showed them to a few people who thought they were pretty decent. So I figured I'd share them with you so you all can see what goes on in my mind. At least this will hold me over until I can find a few spare moments to actually write an original editorial. Let me know what you think of my answers. Thanks to Zvika Krieger from Yale University for making me answer these questions."  [click the link for more]

Capoeira: Brazil's Beautiful Weapon by Suki John  

CAPOEIRA-AN INTRODUCTORY HISTORY By Bira Almeida - Acordeon

History of Capoeira c/o capoeiragem.com

History of Capoeira Angola Copyright © 1996-2002. International Capoeira Angola Foundation.

Batukege Capoeira  The name of the group batukege originates from a mixture of two African tribes that migrated to brazil as slaves. The names of these two tribes were Bantus and Geges. Batuke is the name of an African fighting style that these tribes practiced which then formed the basis of the capoeira fight. The word Batucada meaning a festivity or street party involving music, fun and playing around also has origins from Batuke.  A person playing with the group of Batukege, must understand how to play correctly, respectfully and creatively.

Welcome to CAPOEIRA.COM, the largest Capoeira community on the internet with over 24000 registered Capoeiristas.

This site is dedicated to all Capoeiristas around the world who seek a vast resource of information and an extensive online community. Much work has gone into making this site Capoeirista-oriented and there still remains more work to be done.

Whether you practice Angola, Regional, both or neither, all are welcome here and we hope you enjoy this site and take advantage of its resources.

Comunidade de Capoeira Angola

was formed February 2005 under the collective effort of dedicated members. Some of which were former students of Grupo De N’Golo, which was under the leadership of Mr. Jaime Brown, a practitioner Capoeira Angola for over 20 years. In Atlanta, we practice this illustrious, indigenous traditional form which was preserved by The Great Master (Mestre) Pastinha (1889-1982). It was kept alive by The Great Mestre Joao Pequeno in Salvador, Bahia & Great Mestre Joao Grande who still teaches in New York at 73 years young. From 1999 - 2001, Atlanta was blessed to be guided by Mestre Moraes who has been an Angola master for 30 yrs. The long term goal of Comunidade de Capoeira Angola Atlanta is to spread and preserve this beautiful art form.
 

The Beehive @ the Agbolé Yorùbá School (California)

Capoeira is, perhaps the ultimate intersection of artistic expression.  Part dance, part music, part martial art and part acrobatics, and layered with deep African tradition, Capoeira epitomizes the complexity of African creative genius.  It is neither fought nor danced. Capoeira is played.  Furthermore, one of the key elements of Capoeira is expressed in the Portuguese term malandragem (trickery, deception, cleverness, wisdom and all other qualities of a hungry fox) .  Through Capoeira, even the Beehive's most explosive students find sanctuary.

In Yorùbá tradition, the Agbolé represents the society's economic, cultural and political nucleus. Each family's name, history traditional profession, and identity spring forth from its Agbolé (family compound).  In this way, it is the ancestral home, through which each lineage traces its descent from antiquity into the present.

WELCOME ! to Capoeira Austin, Tx, USA

Culturally and historically rich as the self-defense of Afro- Brazilian Slaves, classes in Capoeira Regional teach self-defense, increase flexibility and coordinate the body and mind. Extend past your current physical and mental limits and discover the challenges of Capoeira Regional

 

Abada-Capoeira

It is only recently that a new generation of capoeiristas sought to combine Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola to develop a new style which embraces the modernizing innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the guiding principles and values which are embedded in the history and philosophy of the art. Standing at the forefront of this contemporary movement is Abada Capoeira.

The main focus of the Abada-Capoeira philosophy is to be found in both Mestre Bimba's Capoeira Regional style and the lessons of Capoeira Angola. It is at this junction where the evolution of capoeira lies, and where its future is discovered hidden in its past.

 

Capoeira of San Jose

OUR PHILOSOPHY

If you don't know it yet, there are many capoeiras inside capoeira. And I'm not talking about styles (Angola - Regional). This is about something much more personal, that you can feel at the very moment when you walk into any capoeira school, studio, academy, association, group or whatever you want to call it. They all carry some energy and they are all very different.

What generates these differences relies on the mestre, his associations, information, connections and beliefs. Some capoeiras are competitive, some more aggressive, some more traditional, some more technical and so on. Differences that I personally treasure, because it makes each capoeira group interesting and unique. There are "no better" or "worse" groups. In the capoeira world, there isn't any group that is so big that has nothing to learn or so small that has nothing to teach. Every group (school, academy etc.) has, I know, dedication, pride, and love for the same thing, capoeira. Because of that, independently of styles, psychology, size or history, they all have my deepest respect. All people and future students have different necessities. Finding the group that suits your necessities is, in my opinion, the key that will open the doors to capoeira for you, not for a short experience but for a long time.

Capoeira is a highly active art and will provide a high quality workout but each individual is unique in their physical, mental and physiological ability. Therefore we don't expect and we don't encourage equal performances, only the best an individual can offer at the present time.

Capoeira of San Jose doesn't believe in violence. All the incredible power of capoeira must be channeled in order to make us better people, balanced physically and emotionally. In capoeira you don't do things alone, be prepared to meet people of all ages beliefs and races. Mestre Vaguinho (Wagner Bueno) always says, "If you are not having fun, you are not really doing capoeira".

 

Mestre João Grande teaches in the African style, as a way of life, as his teacher Mestre Pastinha did before him. He often uses metaphors relating to nature.



Entering Mestre João Grande's Academy, you can feel the energy of Capoeira Angola. The room is filled with berimbaus, the primary musical instrument of capoeira. Galleries of rare photos of Capoeira Angola's storied past, as well as photos from Mestre's travels around the globe, cover the walls. Mestre has a great appreciation for African culture, both from Africa itself and as it manifests in Brazil. Beautiful African sculptures, textiles and innumerable mementos from Bahia decorate the academy.
 

Capoeira Arts BERKELEY, CA:  is a "colorful multi-purpose global village where you can sip a cappucino to the rhythmic beat of a berimbau. Most of the time you can watch a Capoeira class practicing sweeps, high kicks and handstands. You can consume your meal to the mesmerizing background of the musical instruments and chanting."

Our cafe was generously reviewed as, "the winner for the most interesting and innovative." Our patrons have remarked on it as being homey and inviting, cool and cultural with great ambience.

Our cafe is a project of the United Capoeira Association with the world reknowned Masters, Mestre Acordeon and Mestre Rã presiding.

 

Capoeirista.com is a non-profit affiliated capoeira website from San Diego.

A capoeirista is someone who practices capoeira; capoeirista.com is a resource for people who are interested in capoeira, whether students, teachers or just the curious.

Our goal is to provide tools for capoeiristas and a central location to find capoeira on the internet. From free school listings to an event calendar, to translated music and a capoeira glossary - we hope to increase the popularity and availability of capoeira world-wide and act as a bridge between different cultures.

 

Mestre Loka "My Capoeira group has existed since 1982. At the beginning the group had the name Capoeira Esporte e Cultura Brasileira. It was a huge name and hard for people to memorize it. I changed the name to Capuraginga. Capuraginga is easy to remember, and it is such a strong name and that reminds us of our roots. Capuraginga Group has its own methodology of teaching. It has more Capuraginga, which means Pure Capoeira with plenty of movements. " Mestre Loka Interview
 

Who are we? Our group started here at Princeton University in the Spring of 2002. Our group here is part of group Senzala and we train under the supervision of Mestre Ramos of Centro Cultural Senzala de Capoeira Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Founded by Professor Dondi "Enxu", Under the direction of world renowned Mestre Acordoen, Mestre Rá and Mestre Suelli.  Capoeira Malandragem is dedicated to the advancement of capoeira here in Arizona and the United States.  Our academy performs throughout Arizona and numerous parts of the United States in an effort to reach disadvantaged youth providing them with the means to enrich their own lives thru capoeira. Capoeira Malandragem has established a kid program and currently developing a solid school programs for youth participation.

Capoeira Mandinga

Capoeira Mandinga has existed since 1984, when Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha was the third person to arrive in the California Bay Area and began teaching classes. Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha started it under the name of Senzala Grande (The name was changed in 1995). Capoeira Mandinga also has a life as a nonprofit organization called the Capoeira Institute. The group is affiliated with many other schools and performing groups around the country and around the world.

Capoeira Pegadas was founded in 2001 by Professor Maluco, who has been studying and playing capoeira for 10 years. He received his first instruction under Mestre Rony, who now runs the Volta Ao Mundo Capoeira Academy in Sarasota, Florida and Contra-Mestre Amunka, who heads Capoeira Yokayo in Ukiah, California. Later, Maluco studied at Mestre Acordeon's (Bira Almeida) Academy in Berkeley, California. Mestre Acordeon was a leading pupil of the legendary Mestre Bimba, the founding father of Capoeira Regional, and now heads the United Capoeira Association.  Maluco has been teaching on and off for the past 7 years and in July of 2002, earned his long due Professor title.

Mestre Boneco, co-founder of Grupo Capoeira Brasil, is dedicated to perpetuating the rich cultural art and tradition of Capoeira. We practice a variation of Capoeira titled Capoeira Regional Contemporanea. Our style, derived from the movements and sequences defined by Mestre Bimba, reflect the evolutions and influences of the Mestres of Capoeira Brasil. We strive to maintain the integrity of the art, as well as support its evolution.

Contra Mestre Lua Branca.

Waldecir de Souza was Born and raised in Ipatinga Minas Gerais, southeast of Brazil . He developed an interest in Capoeira at age of six. Student and member of the group Quilombo do Queimado, he studied for many years in his home town.

In 1994 he moved to Vitoria (Espirito Santo) to train and improve his technique and understanding of this unique Afro Brazilian martial art. Beyond his training duties, he participated in various Capoeira rodas and Batizados throughout many cities of Brazil . In 1995 he obtained his professor cord and began teaching .In 1997 he was invited to participate in an international Capoeira encounter in Vancouver , BC Canada . After the event, Lua decided to stay and immigrate. In 1998 Lua began to perform with numerous Afro Brazilian Dance Companies throughout the U.S.A, Canada , Asia and Mexico . He has been teaching classes, workshops and attending batizados all over the world since 1997. In 2000 with his expertise and leadership he was awarded his contra mestre's cord. Today as a leader of Capoeira Group Quilombo do Queimado, Contra Mestre Lua is responsible for classes in Vancouver , B.C. and Toronto, Ontario .
 

Muiraquitã Capoeira is a group that promotes individual involvement and growth based on respect for your Mestre, instructors and fellow capoeiristas. Capoeira is a reflection of the world and society around us, it is a collectives' social reconstruction and experience. Each capoeirista contributes to this reconstruction with his/her own baggage of knowledge and skills. These are reflected in a personal and unique approach to the game, the music, the inter-relation with others and life in general. Meet some of the members of Muiraquitã Capoeira.

Capoeira4All:  an interactive site with a lot of information about capoeira, history, mestres (1200+), groups (300+), lyrics and songs, movies, photos, links (700+) and much more.



  

Branco (Januy Santos Reis), découvre à 12 ans la Capoeira à l'Académie de Mestre Maravilha et le Contra-mestre Luciano, située dans le quartier populaire aux maisons sur pilotis (Alagados) de Sao João, en bas de celui de Plataforma, à Salvador de Bahia au Brésil. Il y côtoie des capoeiristes comme Adeleso, Joao (frère de Luciano), Luciano, Caverinha, qui se retrouvent aux rodas de rue du largo Sao Francisco, quartier Plataforma. La capoeira est omniprésente dans son quartier, jusqu'à la la maison voisine de celle de sa famille, où habite un Capoeiriste, nommé Bigode de Arame…


  

ÁFRICA BANTU:
 

África Bantu is the everyday name for Grupo/Escola Capoeira Angola África Bantu -Núcleo Århus, which you can translate into Group/School Capoeira Angola Africa Bantu - the Århus unit.

The name refers to the Bantus, a people that mainly come from Angola, from where many Africans were shipped to Brazil during the era of slave trade. Capoeira Angola is, as the name indicates, the heritage of these slaves.
 

Batuque: