What has Lithuania in common with Brazil and Portugal?

You’ve guessed it. It’s Capoeira!

Introduction

Capoeira is one of those activities that is hard to put in a single category. It’s a martial art, it’s a dance, it’s a lifestyle. As said by Dias Gomes:

“It is the fight of dancers and the dance of gladiators. It‘s a game, it’s a dance, it’s a dispute — a perfect symbiosis of force, rhythm, poetry and agility.”

For those who enjoy music, movement, and the company of great people — Capoeira is both an interesting and highly rewarding pastime activity that balances the physical, mental, and social aspects into a playful and unique movement flow.

If someone randomly asked me what capoeira was “exactly”, I would have some trouble giving a proper answer. That is why I’ve decided to spend some time thinking and reflecting on what is capoeira, how I see it, and who would be a good fit to practice it. If my perception differs from yours, be sure to let me know about that in the comments below. 🤸

What is Capoeira and who should practice it?

While some martial arts focus on technical execution, others may emphasize brutal force, strength, or flexibility. Others still may move toward a more philosophical-internal approach, emphasizing the practitioner’s experience. Capoeira, I’d say, is a movement practice that combines all of the previously mentioned aspects, blending them into an aesthetic performance both for the practitioners and the viewers alike.

According to Wikipedia:

“Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality. Born of the melting pot of enslaved Africans, Indigenous Brazilians and Portuguese influences at the beginning of the 16th century, Capoeira is a constantly evolving art form.”

Is capoeira good for men? Yes. Is it good for women too? Of course. Kids? Sure! And old people? Most definitely.

Fighting or dancing?

Whenever you begin studying a new martial art, you should know to which side of the spectrum it is leaning and what are your own preferences. Are you keener on the ‘martial’ or the ‘art’ side of things? If you are not sure — give it a go and you’ll quickly see what feels right and what doesn’t.

Martial arts, just like most things in life, is all about exploration. If you won’t try it out, how will you know if it’s good for you or not?

Being born out of slavery, capoeira is a form of combat that masks its martial aspects in dance. As slaves in 16th century Brazil (which at the time was a colony of the Portuguese Empire) could not practice any style of fighting, they had to be smart about it. Thus, during those times, African and Brazilian slaves figured out a way to submerge their martial techniques in an act of musicianship and acrobatics. As a consequence, whenever the slave owners came to see what was happening, all they saw were people singing, dancing, and having some fun, while in reality, they were learning ways to protect themselves.

Of course, contemporary capoeiristas no longer focus on fighting against slave owners or oppression, but what they have maintained is the drive for physical freedom, fluidity, social interaction, and unbounded expression.

The community

From my experience, the people in capoeira classes tend to be relaxed, respectful and fun to be around. They are not the types that are out there to get you, even though some friendly aspects of competitiveness might lurk in. The practitioners often tend to learn and play at their own pace. Of course, during the rodas the whole game can get quite intense, especially if both parties agree with it. Sometimes it can even spin into a full-fledged fight! Still, if respect is maintained, most probably no one will get hurt. Nonetheless, if a line has been crossed, well, anything is to be expected.

Eye contact

Capoeira is one of those arts where you can’t lose sight of your partner at any time. Seeing your partner helps maintain connection and flow. This in turn helps both capoeiristas to play and move in sync with one another.

Capoeira is one of those arts that focus more on cooperation than competitiveness. Thus, no matter what position you find yourself in — look for the eyes of the other. They will show you what is going on much better than anything else in the roda. There — friendship begins.

Concepts and vocabulary

Capoeira is not just a dance, it’s also a way of communication. Even though the emphasis is placed on movements, words are there to guide them into action. For a beginner, the new Portuguese words might be as daunting as the practice itself. For this reason, I’d like to share with you a short list of essential vocabulary, that might come in handy during your first capoeira practices:

Aluno — someone learning capoeira; a pupil; a student.

Aula — A class; a lesson.

Mestre — a teacher of capoeira.

Berimbau — the main musical instrument used in capoeira practices.

Roda — the dancing circle where the game happens. Usually, two players are moving in the middle of the circle, while the surrounding crowd sings, claps, and cheers according to the rhythm of the berimbau.

Ginga — the fundamental movement pattern of capoeira. A back-and-forth side-to-side swinging motion from which all the esquivas and chutes flow.

Esquivar — to dodge, to evade.

Chutar — a kick.

Jogar — to play.

Cantar — to sing.

Batizado — literally meaning ‘baptism’ is a borrowing from the religious tradition and is normally used to describe an annual event for a Capoeira group in a region or country.

For a more comprehensive list, you can check out an article provided by the Black Belt Wiki right here.

In conclusion

Capoeira is a fun martial-art to try out. It combines the communal aspects of dancing and singing with an artistic expression of physical fitness. As an added benefit, it teaches you about the Brazilian and Portuguese cultural heritage, builds long-lasting friendships and gives you an added layer of perception and understanding. Thus, if you are interested in movement practices, acrobatics, dance, or fighting — try it out yourself, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve enjoyed the content, be sure to follow my profile for more upcoming articles and leave a comment with your reflections. Peace. ✨🎓