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Capoeira: a winning combination of music, dance, and self-defense

Updated: Jun 16, 2022

In this article, we will find out: What is Capoeira? How was Capoeira born? Why was Capoeira banned? What styles are in Capoeira? What is "Roda" in Capoeira? What is Capoeira Game? What is "Berimbau" in Capoeira? Why are music and songs important in Capoeira? What is "Maculele" in Capoeira? Is the martial art of Capoeira practical? What protective equipment is recommended in Capoeira? What home fitness equipment is recommended in Capoeira? What home fitness equipment is recommended to improve cardiopulmonary endurance? What does the coaching equipment in Capoeira include?

 

What is Capoeira?

The samba inside the "Roda" can be performed when a man and a woman are dancing, in the form of dancing, flirting, and courtship. Roda is a Capoeira game that takes place within a circle of a group of people, around two Capoeira players. The people around “Roda” sing and applaud, and some also play unique instruments. Roda has a leader, and he is the most experienced warrior, with the power of the Roda leader to stop the battle at any stage he chooses, and he is also the one who usually dictates the pace of chanting and playing.
Game of opponents "Samba de Roda"

Capoeira is a martial art with African roots that was developed in the 16th century in Brazil by slaves brought to America. Combines, punches, and kicks; Misleading, fast, and rotating movements; Dance, music, and acrobatics. The practitioners of this method are called Capoeiristas, and the battle between opponents is called Play. Quite a few people mistakenly believe that Capoeira is a dance, or believe that the movements performed by two Capoeira players in front of each other are simple choreography, but Anderson de Silva (multiple UFC champion), a person who practiced Capoeira, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from childhood said: Capoeira is "A method of fighting like a dance to mislead the enemy". Since the end of the 20th century, this method has gained popularity around the world, mainly thanks to travelers returning from Brazil. In 2014, the method received the status of "intangible cultural heritage" in UNESCO.


How was Capoeira born?

African slaves in villages in agricultural areas of Brazil, who worked in the fields and gardens, producing coffee and sugar.
African slaves in forced labor in ancient Brazil

Capoeira began as a survival hope for unarmed, fugitive slaves who used it to survive in a hostile country. There are also those who believe, that Capoeira was greatly influenced by the Brazilian-Indians and their culture. Slaves who wanted to free themselves from slavery trained to escape. But they could not practice martial arts openly, so they incorporated music and dance moves into martial arts studies so as not to arouse suspicion. Many escaped the draconian laws of Christians using an elopement, these were: Fugitive slaves, Natives of Brazil, And even Europeans, who over time established settlements that eventually led to an independent multinational state called "Kilombus". They had to defend themselves against the colonial, and Portuguese forces, and as a result, they created a weapon of war and survival called Capoeira.

Among the dance rituals was a dance that originated in African Mumba called "Capoeira", it was also one of the dances practiced in religious rituals, invented by African slaves in the 16th century. Slaves began to develop it as an effective way of training in combat under the guise of dance. The combination of music and dance moves helped the slaves hide their true intentions and obtain permission from the captains to continue this activity.
Capoeira Dance, painting by August Earle (1793-1838)

African slaves practiced the traditions and rituals that were adopted in their homeland - in Africa, and among them were traditional dances. One of the rituals was a dance led by a traditionally dressed slave leader. Among the dance rituals was a dance that originated in African Mumba called "Capoeira". It was also one of the dances practiced in religious rituals, invented by African slaves in