Capoeira is an
Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of
martial arts,
games, music, and
dance. It was created in
Brazil by slaves brought from Africa, especially from present day
Angola some time after the 16th century. It was developed in the regions known as
Bahia,
Pernambuco and
Rio de Janeiro. Participants form a
roda, or circle, and take turns either playing
musical instruments (such as the
Berimbau),
singing, or ritually
sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The sparring is marked by fluid
acrobatic play,
feints, and extensive use of sweeps,
kicks, and
headbutts. Less frequently used techniques include elbow strikes,
slaps,
punches and body throws. Its origins and purpose are a matter of debate, with theories ranging from views of Capoeira as a uniquely Brazilian folk
dance with improvised fighting movements to claims that it is a battle-ready fighting form directly descended from ancient African techniques.
Historians are divided between those who believe it is a direct
descendant of African fighting styles and those who believe it is a
uniquely Brazilian dance form distilled from various African and
Brazilian influences. One popular explanation holds that it is an
African fighting style that was developed in Brazil, as expressed by a
proponent named Salvano, who said, "Capoeira cannot exist without black
men but its birthplace is Brazil".
Even the etymology of the word
capoeira is debated. The Portuguese word
capão means "capon", or a castrated rooster, and could mean that the style appears similar to two roosters fighting.
Kongo scholar K. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau also suggested
capoeira could be derived from the
Kikongo word
kipura, which describes a rooster's movements in a fight. Afro-Brazilian scholar Carlos Eugenio has suggested that the sport took its name from a large round basket called a "capa" commonly worn on the head by urban
slaves. Others claim the term derives from the
Tupi-Guarani words
kaá ("leaf", "plant") and
puéra (past aspect marker), meaning "formerly a forest". Another claim is that given that
capoeirain Portuguese literally means "chicken coop", it could simply be a
derisive term used by slave owners to refer to the displays as chicken
fights.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:28 am by 
Subject: Capoeira info 
