Capoeira going strong in Las Vegas
A co-worker of mine has shown a bit of his true-self as I sat down to interview him on Capoeira, a synthesis of dances, fights and musical instruments from different cultures, from different African regions. It is a synthesis created on Brazilian soil. If you don’t know what Capoeira is…well let me tell ya.
Slaves were brought to Brazil, in the sixteenth century, and with them they brought their culture. The slave owners would not allow the slaves any form of fighting or self-defense so they made up Capoeira to hide their fighting techniques within the dance. To this day, when a person is baptized into capoeira at the batizado ceremony, they may be given an apelido.
One theory suggests that capoeira originated from a courtship dance in Angola used by suitors of young women, however, capoeira's origins are often disputed. The exact origin of Capoeira is under dispute, but you get the idea. Each of the ritual dances is done with a ‘band’ playing in the background and the pace of the performers is controlled by the tempo of the band. One of the instruments used in Capoeira is the Berimbau is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, another is the Pandeiro, a type of hand frame drum that differs from a common tambourine in a few ways.
Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and sparring in pairs in the centre of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, subterfuge, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as sweeps, kicks, and head-butts. Technique and strategy are the key elements to playing a good game.
The Portuguese word "Capoeira" derives from the word capão, which translates as capon, a castrated rooster. The sport's name may originate from this word since its moves resemble those of a rooster in a fight. There is a local Capoeira team here in Las Vegas if you want to check out some awesome moves and fun. Heck you might even join if you think you can hang.
Photos by Tiffany Brown
