Capoeira: a Brazilian art or fashion fitness?

History


There are many versions about the origin of capoeira, and most of them sends us his roots in Africa. In the early 16th century the Portuguese headed Pedro Alvarez by Cabral landed in Brazil. To accelerate the development of new territories, the rights to which said Spain, the colonists needed labor force. But before them arose the question of who to use as slaves, because the local Indians were weak and often died. The solution is found in Africa. In Brazil started to import slaves from the Portuguese colonies, located on the territory of Africa - Angola, Mozambique, Guinea and Congo. And it has turned out later that the slaves from different tribes, living in the barracks, was the beginning of a new martial art, which, of course, the slaveholders would not have approved, and therefore disguised as a dance.




This art has been the best help for runaway slaves, organized their own settlements, and protect them from the forces of the Portuguese and the police. After the abolition of slavery in 1888, a huge number of former slaves gained their freedom, but as is often the case when hasty reforms, never had the opportunity to work and support themselves and their families. On the streets of Brazilian cities began robbery occurs, often associated with murder. In this period the word "during" was defined as: a thief, a robber and bandit! Authorities announced capoeira outside the law.Survived even the police reports, which indicated a certain capoeirista on behalf of Bisaro(Besouro), which beat alone a whole squad of police, took away their weapons and took to the police station to make fun of the weakness of the authorities. He became a legend among the capoeiristas.




Despite police harassment, masters of capoeira continued to secretly meet with his disciples (such gatherings were called by the word "Kind") and taught them this ancient art.




Everything has changed in the twentieth century, when in 1930 in a military coup persecution of capoeiristas weakened, and they finally could not hide their classes.





Founders


In 1932 there was opened the first official Academy of capoeira. Its founder - Master Bimba (Mestre Bimba), - real name Manuel DOS Reis Machado, who taught capoeira special, they developed technique. He also was the first to use colored belts to denote the level of the student.




The second founder of this art form - Wizard Pastinya that in 1941 he opened his own school of Capoeira Angola. Pastinha was the first who introduced a form of capoeira: black pants and yellow t-shirts. Pastinya went down in history as a great philosopher and artist of capoeira. He focused on the preservation of historical, cultural and musical traditions of capoeira, without which, as asserted by the master, it is impossible to comprehend its meaning.




Bimba and Pastinha are two key figures of contemporary capoeira. Modern capoeiristas honor the memory of these wonderful people who gave their all for the development of capoeira. That there is only the fact that after the death of Mestre Bimba, all schools of capoeira in Brazil for 7 days closed in mourning for him.




Philosophy




The basics of capoeira is simple: music, cunning, partnership and love.




The first place belongs to love. Love of life to capoeira, to art, to pleasure.




The trick is to evading, simulated or not, or from any other movements that contains a potential hazard.


Partnership. Without partnership capoeira is not a game, without him capoeira will not teach. Only the presence of a partner is an excellent way to develop confidence, manifested in the ability to improvise various deviating elements.




Music is very important, it is leaving in the mystic root of capoeira. It converts the consciousness of capoerista, directs its movements. Music controls the aggressiveness, destroys stiffness and leads to the enjoyment of the game.




Capoeira today




So what is capoeira? Dance, game or martial art? Fashionable hobby or a way to be always in shape? Indeed, during the execution of many different Mach feet under rhythmic popular music in a short time well-stretched muscles, decreases the size of the hips and waist, but also comes the ability to kick for self-defense. Every student finds in his capoeira. But there is something for all in common, capoeira helps to get energy, to reveal themselves spiritually, physically, and find your way.

Source:

Green Mama

women's web magazine