Sunday, May 6, 2012

What Capoeira means to us

I found (and slightly paraphrased the English version of) a beautiful description of what Capoeira Angola is all about on the website of Grupo Nzinga.
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Capoeira Angola is an expression of the Afro-brazilian tradition based on exercises of group (co)existence. Its practice represents the bringing together of different cultural events that include dance, music, dramatization, play, game and spirituality.

In its ritual everyone participates and each person is fundamental and unique.

To play Capoeira Angola, the 'capoeiristas' make a circle representing the world with elements of order and mutual support: the instruments, the music, the songs, the foundations and ethics of the game.

In the space of the circle there is a dramatized fight that transforms potentially powerful blows into gestures that are contained exactly in the moment of touching the opponent. The individual's movements in this warrior-dance are strongly related to the movements of the other 'capoerista' in the game, in reflexive processes that enhances self-esteem and seeks to end stigmas.

Playing Capoeira Angola is a process of raising one's self-awareness; it is not limited to the physical activity and it seeks to restructure the individual starting from these collective experiences.

Thus, when practicing Capoeira Angola we intend to interact individually and collectively with the world, by participating in its social-cultural dynamics. So, in the education of the 'capoeirista', debate and reflection are as important as the physical training and playing.

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