Capoeira for Life

INTRODUCTION

What is capoeira??
Capoeira is a breathtaking Afro-Brazilian martial art which combines with dancing, acobatics, jumping, music and alot more stunts. In Malaysia there are only 3 capoeira school which is located in penang, muar and shah alam.


History of capoeira or should I call it capoeira narahari
Capoeira landed on Brazil’s shores centuries ago with the forced arrival of Angolan slaves. Through super-human ingenuity and despite their captivity, the Africans transformed their traditional dances into a powerful fighting art. After thriving as a self-defense during 400 years of colonization, Capoeira has since become a world famous sport. In recent years, Capoeira has gained international popularity through Hollywood films such as “Only The Strong” and “Quest,"

Music
In capoeira, the students (capoeiristas) are responsible for playing the musical instruments and to singing. The typical capoeira songs are LADAINHAS (Litany), CANTO DE ENTRADA (Beginning song) and call and answer songs in different literary forms: QUADRAS (quatrain), CORRIDOS (running metrics) and CHULAS Kind of taunting songs. Ladainhas are sung by a soloist who tells a history or challenges the opponent and so on. The Canto de Entrada is a very traditional format (many also call these songs "chula") in which the soloist hails mestres, places, other capoeiristas. It always begins with the expression: "Ie Viva..." which means "long live." Then, the soloist say a name and when the chorus answer, the chorus repeat the name, adding the word "CAMARÁ", a corruption of the word "camarada" which means comrade.


Here are some of the instruments used to play the music

1. Berimbau
   
2. Pandeiros
3. Caxixi

Now let's look at some pictures from the capoeiristas from Miami