A little bit of history…
It has been only four months since I became involved with this ever evolving and extraordinarily captivating martial art. When I mention it to people they immediately
ask what Capoeira is and where it originates. I can say now with some confidence that its enchanting history deserves to be divulged – the beginning of which dates
back to the early 16th Century. During this time there was a strong demand for slaves to work on plantations in the New World that was spawning as a result of
colonialism. Portuguese slave traders would raid the predominantly coastal villages of Western Africa in order to keep up with this demand and it was the oppression
that these culturally diverse captives endured that eventually inspired their rebellion. The indigenous peoples of the New World, which today lies in North Eastern
Brazil, found that the only way they could overcome their adversities and unite in a common cause of freedom and survival was to develop a new form of self
defence…hence the birth of Capoeira.
The “capoeiristas” disguised their training as a ritualistic dance while onlookers sang of freedom and played the “Berimbau” – described to me once as the ‘heart of
capoeira’, this one-stringed bowlike instrument forms the basis of capoeira chants and rhythms. As legend grew, the rebellious nature of the slaves strengthened
and spread. Capoeira thus became outlawed, compelling the capoeiristas to flee underground and train in secret until the early 1900s.
Capoeira Angola was the original form established, typically played slowly and filled with “cabeçadas” (head butts) and kicks to the lower torso. Unlike many martial
arts, the main form of defence in Capoeira is body evasion techniques, as opposed to blocking. When Capoeira Regional was created in 1932 by Mestre Bimba (as a
combination of Angola and Batuque arts), so came with it his popular attack and defence sequences aimed at the upper body and head, his spinning and jumping
variations and the graduation systems used today. Such combinations of attack and swift acrobatic moves maintain the ever important fluidity of movement within the
“Roda” (wheel, or in this case ring/circle), and give Capoeira its distinct rhythmical flow and dance-like qualities. Bimba publicised Regional so much throughout
Brazil that his Academy, Centro de Cultura Fisica Regional, was given legal recognition in 1937 and in 1953 President Vargas declared Capoeira as the National
sport and official fighting system of Brazil.
Grupo Muzenza…
This particular group was founded on the 5th May 1972 by Mestre Paulão. Not long after, in 1975, Mestre Burguês established another headquarters of Grupo
Muzenza in Curitiba, Paraná in Brazil. Although Burguês developed his own training style and philosophy, Grupo Muzenza still adheres to the fundamental and
historical principles of Capoeira and holds its founders in high esteem.
The 2nd Batizado…
I personally had the pleasure of meeting Mestre Burguês (and Mestre Namorado, Mestre Nino and Graduado Madeira also), on Sunday 8th May 2005, during my first
encounter with a traditional “Roda” at the official grading ceremony (where the accompanying photos were taken). After a few months of hard core preparation, loads
of sweat, some bruises, plenty of laughs and positive reinforcement from our Instructor, it was with great awe that we students took part in playing against
capoeiristas of all ages, cultures and nationalities to earn our first belts, our new names and official entrance into the Capoeira-playing realm.
Thanks to the support of my fellow capoeiristas, “Cansado”, “Kinde” and “Carranca”, it was one of the most enjoyable and memorable days I’ve experienced. But
most of all, I must thank our Instructor, Graduado Bombril, who is the inspiration behind our motivation and will always be remembered (at least in our circle) as the
harsh at times but always fair, truly genuine teacher with a distinct message – said with loads of conviction, all heart and a cheeky smile – “get used!”
See you inside the Roda!
“Ostra”
http://capoeiralondon.tripod.com
