A martial art of game and music
Text by Ma. Teresa C. Dumana Photos by Jermaine So-Reyes
AN advertisement some time ago gave us our first glimpse of this martial art and it got many interested. It seemed like a group of people in a circle, all clad in white, are cheering two players to fight one another. It’s different, it’s unique and this has made Capoeira one of today’s mainstream forms of martial arts.
“Capoeira was created in Brazil by captured slaves from Angola,” narrates Fantasma, the country’s only-licensed Capoeira teacher or mestre. He adds that a mixture of music, dance, singing and acrobatics make up this 400-year-old Afro-Brazilian form of martial art.
A rich history of Capoeira says that these enslaved Angolans used this form to defend themselves against their violent landlords. “Because of their predicament, these enslaved people had to disguise their training as recreational song and dance,” adds Fantasma.
Among other things that make Capoeira unique from other forms of martial arts, is its heavy reliance on music and its concept of just playing a game. “You do not follow any sequence when you play the game, and you do not stop moving, because you always go back to the fundamental movement in Capoeira called ‘ginga’,” says Fantasma. Ginga means to literally rock back and forth.
Even if it is called a martial art, the goal of Capoeira is not to hurt your opponent, but rather to outsmart them. According to Fantasma, “The goal is not to win over someone but to playfully show the other person the possibility of hitting him/her without completing it. You can’t really win a game but you can enforce superiority in the roda.”
Capoeira Basics
Music
To delve a little deeper on the importance of music in a game of Capoeira, a website says that “it sets the tempo and style of the game that is to be played within the roda.” During a game, people who form the roda sing and chant to set the “mood” for the players inside the roda.
The tempos of the songs or chants can range from slow (Angola) to very fast (são bento regional). Capoeiristas can sing about many things, from very famous Capoeiristas to love lost to simply about life. Other songs may just be about fun or other silly things. However, the tone is changed depending on the command of the berimbaus, or a bow-like instrument struck with a stick.
“Capoeiristas change their playing style significantly as the songs or rhythm from the berimbau commands. In this manner, it is truly the music that drives Capoeira,” explains Fantasma.
The Roda
Aside from music as an essential element in Capoeira, as Fantasma has already mentioned, the roda or the “Roda de Capoeira,” is as important as the music. Fantasma adds: “The roda is the circle
of people within which Capoeira is played. Its circular shape is maintained to keep focus on the players and musicians and retain the energy created by the Capoeira game.”
The players who make up the circle clap and sing along with the music coming from the bateria, or the instruments played in a row. The “mouth” of the circle is found directly in front of the bateria, where the players begin every game and new players can enter the game or jogo. “In some Capoeira schools, an individual in the audience can “buy in” to engage one of the two players and begin another game,” adds Fantasma.
Defenses
The music and the circle within the game make the unique characteristics of Capoeira. But adding to the list of its exclusive properties is its concept of outsmarting your opponent rather than inflicting injury. “It emphasizes skill and the playfulness of it,” says Fantasma.
Enforcing your superiority in the roda would have to mean mastery of the different moves of Capoeira, which consists mostly of evasive moves and rolls. Fantasma says that esquivas are a series of ducks that is staple for every Capoeirista to master. “There are typically different esquivas for every step of the ginga, depending on the direction of the kick and intention of the defender.”
Another movement is called rolê, or a rolling movement combined with a duck and a low movement. “This move allows the defensive players to quickly evade an attack and position themselves around the aggressor to lay up for an attack.”
In addition to the esquivas and rolê, other evasive movements include rasteira, vingativa, tesoura de mão or queda. These moves allow a Capoeirista to move away or dangerously close in an attempt to trip an opponent in a moment of weakness.
For Fantasma, it is these series of movements that give Capoeira its “fluidity” and choreography.
Batizado
Like any other form of martial art, Capoeira also has its very own graduation, or the Batizado. Done only once a year, the Batizado is where cords are also given. “This is a celebration to welcome new students to the group and a time for old students to move to different levels if they are ready. The Batizado is the only time cords are given,” says Fantasma.
Not just defense
Defense and outsmarting your opponent are just the things you can learn from Capoeira. However, these aren’t just tips that this martial art can give you. Fantasma vouches that both the mental and spiritual aspects of a person could be developed as well. “You will learn to connect with yourself every time you play the game and the person you are playing with is connected to his/her inner self as well. You can communicate with each other through your minds, through your souls, and through your hearts.”
This is why Fantasma shares that not only does Capoeira teaches his students to be agile in the roda during a game, but the constant communication developed through constant practice, affects them on a deeper aspect. He adds that this helps his students create a tight bond with each other and “treat each other like family.”
Holistic approach to life
Fantasma says that Capoeira does try to promote a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding smoking and drinking can help a lot in maintaining that top Capoeirista form. Aside from that, it also induces sweat. An hour of this art form can help you release sweat and work out those muscles, especially in the arms and legs.
However, on a more holistic level, Capoeira can mean much more than just sweating it out with friends. Fantasma says it can help you face and accept life’s unexpected twists and turns. “There are unexpected things that you can ‘evade’, but there are some that you did not anticipate. Then you learn. And the next time you go back in the roda, you become a better player.’’
