CAPOEIRA

Origin/ Short History

Dance from the Latin-America is a mixture of indigenous Amerindian, African and European.
This includes 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.

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.