CAPOEIRA

Capoeira (cap-a-way-a) is an art created by African slaves in Brazil in the late 1500's. Because of this some people classify it as a Brazillian art and some classify it as an African art. I personally consider it a Brazillian as it's practiced mostly by Brazillians. It is a very unique style based on acrobatics, music, and fancy kicks. Physical conditioning is a big part Capoeira as it has a lot of strength and balancing manuevers. Training, learning, sparring, etc is also down in the jogo (jo-go), game. This is where students get together in a circle and traditionally music is played with Portuguese lyrics and various students go in the middle and show up, practice, or whatever. Different music calls for different speeds and types of games. A circle or roda (ho-da), in Brazil all r's have the sound of h's, with musicians at the foot and players coming in and out. They enter with a cartwheel or some form of eye candy and sometimes interact with another player or just do their own poetic acrobatic moves.

Generally, there are four forms of Capoeria:

Angola (an-goal-la)

Angola (an-goal-la) is the original and much slower and complex jogo. It's more relaxed and closer to the ground. The players squat quietly until they get a turn to play and the players typically wear yellow and black clothing. It's slower and the players perform attacks, defenses and escapes in combination with symbolic rituals. It's practiced like a theatrical performance and is called "Chamada" (a ritual) and includes all elements like tension, suspence, laughter, etc.

Regional (hey-zion-nal)

Regional (hey-zion-nal) was developed much later and is at a faster pace. Regional is more dynamic and acrobatic but, much shorter games. The players usually stand and throw faster attacks combined with more jumps and all are thrown in quick succession. The players waiting usually clap to the rhythm of the music and wear white clothing.

Maculèlè

Maculele is a form of Capoeria that uses wooden sticks and sometimes swords in the dance and hit on beats of 4.

The Samba de Roda

The Samba de Roda is the 4th style that is a Samba dance form that is used for parties and to relax after intense demonstrations.

It is very beautiful to watch and some of the moves encompass back flips, sweeps, horizontal spins, spinning kicks, and kicking while doing a handstand. The defensive techniques are elusive with a few blocking motions. Though most is kicking, the hands and arms must be trained well to be able to hold them upside down for various poetic kicks. Capoeira was originally a religious dance. Because of the cruelty of slave traders it was transformed into a martial art. Their hands were often chained, so Leg attacks are the primary weapons along with an assortment of head butting techniques.

In the 17th century a lot of slaves formed their own republic. This ended quickly and many where killed or escaped to the cities or villages around Brazil. They were noted as bad element and were forced to use Capoeria at times in defense. With this Capoeria got associated with crime and fines were to be given for those who practiced. In the mid-1800's, the art rode to peak but by 1890 threat of imprisonment was set forth for anyone that practiced it. Some were even deported. In 1928 that all changed, and the art was recognized by the Brazilian government. In 1972, it became an official sport of Brazil and rules and regulations for the competition were implemented. It was not till the 1970's that Capoeria spread outside of Brazil.

Source

The basis for most of my information can be found at http://www.capoeirasj.com/capoeirasj.html, http://groups.msn.com/AssociationofCapoeiraMasterBimba-ACMB and www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Sideline/5762/

For some more information that I felt too detailed for this site, but very good information you can check out http://www.capoeira-angola.de/ and www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/9207/bimba.html