Origins and Cultural Roots of Capoeira
Capoeira is a synthesis of martial arts, games, and dance developed and practiced by enslaved Africans in Brazil. It emerged as a fighting technique but was also practiced as dancing or playing on Brazilian plantations (Mihalka, 2021).
Roles and Participants in Capoeira Practice
There are different roles in capoeira: two capoeiristas play in the roda, and the others practice capoeira only in other ways; some play instruments, and some clap their hands and sing. People stand in a circle and clap their hands, live instruments play, a choir sings loudly in Portuguese, and two capoeiristas move in the center of the circle. They exchange blows, make movements, and perform various acrobatic elements. They do it on purpose so as not to hit each other, but at a high level, capoeiristas do not adjust to each other and hit each other only if the other has time to dodge.
Musical Instruments and Their Importance in Capoeira
Capoeira typically involves instruments such as berimbau (single-string bow), atabaque, and pandeiro. Music is essential to capoeira, setting the movements’ pace, style, rhythm, and energy; it is not just a background sound. This aspect played a unique role in realizing malícia, the effect of deception, distraction, and delusion.
Capoeira as a Form of Resistance and Survival
The development of regional capoeira reflected the systemic racism in Brazil, African culture in general, and a desire to break the shackles of slavery physically and morally. Capoeira was hidden through music, songs, and dances, uniting enslaved Africans and enabling them to escape and resist capture. Africans captured by the Portuguese were the developers of this martial art (Mihalka, 2021).
Evolution and Recognition of Capoeira in Brazil
Capoeira gradually spread, especially in the 20th century, and it became widely known in Brazilian cities. It was practiced by criminals, bodyguards, mercenaries, and even politicians. Since 1972, capoeira has been considered an official sport in Brazil with its own rules, movements, code of ethics, norms, and standards (Mihalka, 2021). Today, capoeira is known worldwide and is usually practiced in parks, studios, and educational institutions. It developed mainly to help enslaved people become free while defending themselves against possible attacks from the planters.
Reference
Mihalka, M. (2021). Chapter 13: Capoeira. In J. R. Hunter and M. Mihalka (Eds.), Music in world cultures (pp. 70-73). University of Arkansas Libraries.