A.

History

Dance from the Latin-America is a mixture of indigenous Amerindian, African and

European. Thisincludes traditional dance creation in Mexico, Caribbean and a portion of
South America. Most of these countries were colonized by Spanish and Portuguese
during the Age of Exploration.
Capoeira is sometimes referred to as a martial art, sometimes a dance and sometimes
a game. Its a unique phenomenon that has caught the worlds attention in the recent
years although its history can be traced back from the 16th century when African slaves
arrived to Brazil together with their Portuguese owners.
The dance emerged from two laws imposed by the Portuguese conquerors on their
African slaves. These laws prohibited Africans to celebrate their customs as well as
practiced their martial arts. As a way of rebellion, Capoeira was born.
Using the dance, many slaves escaped their masters and formed a rebel group called
Quilombos. The group became a stronghold in the fight against Portuguese rules. In the
17th and 18th century, Capoeira dominated as a popular form of entertainment. People
begun to use it for leisure however, dancers were punished for practicing it at the same
time.
The end of slavery in Brazil brought about a darker era for capoeira, with its martial
elements being used for criminal purposes. With the abolishment of slavery in 1888,
many newly freed citizens found themselves without homes or income, creating
widespread poverty. As Brazils population expanded in the 19th century, crime
exploded within the urban centers and capoeira was one of the many weapons used by
criminal elements.
B. Basic Steps
Ginga

Pronounced jinga, it is the most basic movement in Capoeira. It is done by moving back
and forth alternating both legs in shoulder-width describing a triangular form. The hands
are moving with the body aiming to protect those parts that are opened and easy to be
attacked. Check out the video to see how Ginga is done.

In Capoeira Angola, the Ginga is more individualistic. In Capoeira Regional, the Ginga
is more defined and structured. Still, the player can add his own style to it. In both
Capoeira styles, the Ginga is performed to transfer the body to another move
offensive or defensive.

The Capoeira Au is known as cartwheel in gymnastics and other martial arts. However,
in Capoeira the A is performed slowly and in most cases with arms and legs bent
forward to protect the player from incoming kicks and attacks. From Au, the player can
also easily kick the opponent. When performing Au, it is very important for the player
fighter to look at the opponent in other to be informed for any incoming attacks. To do
this the player has to place his head between his hands looking straight instead of
looking at the ground.

Balana

This is a combination of feint moves performed side to side (from one leg to the other) in
order to deceive the opponent and make it hard for him to track the players next move.
In Balanca, the arms of the capoeirista are moving from side to side as done in Ginga
while protecting the face. This move is often the leading move of many quick kicks,
headbutts and hand-strikes.
 Bananeira

Simply, it is a handstand position in which the hands of the capoeirista are placed in
shoulder-width and the legs above his head. Like in Au, the head of the player is located
between his hands looking toward the other player. This capoeira move is often used
when a capoeirista needs a quick break and wants to see the opponents next move. It
is believed that the name of bananeira comes from the banana trees in Brazil.

Macaco

In translation, Macaco means a monkey. This movement has been called like that as it
is more like a monkey move than anything else. In short, it is a back flip performed low
to the ground. It requires strength and flexibility but also a very good technique. It might
be dangerous and for this a newbie may start practicing it with the assistance of
othercapoeiristas.

To start the Macaco, place your body into a crouch position with one hand located on
the floor right behind you. The other hand should be free to move up and down, as it will
give your body speed and direction for the jump. Located in that position try stretch your
body holding your hips up and try to reach the floor with your free hand moving it over
the head. Try to do that several times and when you are ready try to lift your legs over
the head as well and transfer them to the other side of the body. If you need, you may
help with your free hand by placing it to the floor right after the legs come off the ground.
Check out the video to see how to do the Macaco move in details.

Negativa

The Negativa is a capoeira move used to negate an incoming attack by lowering the
body to the ground on the one side or the other. The body is supported by one hand
while the other is protecting the face. The legs are located close to one another the
leg close to the hand on the ground is placed in extended position and the other one is
tucked. The body should be bent to the legs to avoid kicks in the head. The Negativa is
a very useful technique due to the fact that while protecting himself the player can hook
the leg of the opponent while his other is throwing a kick or performing another
movement.
C. Music
Capoeira is played in a roda, or circle, and the players sing songs and play instruments
to animate the roda. The songs typically either tell a story, or exhort the players to play
harder or take some action in the roda. There are also songs celebrating aspects of the
history of capoeira. All of the songs are in Portuguese.

The music is a crucial element to the Capoeira game. It gives energy and power to the
capoeiristas and defines the style of the game. It is said that if there is no music there is
no Capoeira

Music in the context of capoeira is used to create a sacred space through both the
physical act of forming a circle (the roda) and an aural space that is believed to connect
to the spirit world. This deeper religious significance exists more as a social memory to
most capoeira groups, but is generally understood as evidenced in the use of ngoma
drums (the atabaquesof Yoruba candombl), the berimbau whose earlier forms were
used in rituals in Africa and the diaspora in speaking with ancestors, the ever-present
term ax which signifies life force, the invocation of both Afro-Brazilian
and Catholic spirituality, and certain semi-ritualized movements used in Capoeira
Angola that bring "spiritual protection".
D. Costume
You need refreshingly little to start capoeira. As a beginner, you can get away with
tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt (but not one that is too big, because you'll often be
upside down and don't want it over your face). Most capoeira groups have their own
uniform (basically, loose white pants and a branded top), so if you attend regularly you
will probably need to invest. You can go barefoot, or wear nonslip lightweight shoes,
such as those designed for pilates or other low-impact indoor workouts.