a bit of history and perspective

The article below was written by Mestra Paulinha, of Grupo Nzinga. I found it in the archives of the blog hosted by FICA DC.

In the beginning of the 1980s, the creation of the Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP) in Rio de Janeiro and later in Bahia marked a significant change in the situation. Founded by Mestre Pedro Moraes Trinidade (Mestre Moraes), GCAP implemented a series of actions promoting the re-valorization of Capoeira Angola and the recognition of the importance of old and famous mestres, such as Mestre Pastinha himself. With an ideology that affirmed capoeira’s African roots and denounced the injustices suffered by so many capoeiristas and Afro-descendents, this group was the precursor of a movement that became wide and diverse.

Through the realization of events in homage to Mestre Pastinha, GCAP managed to reunite old practitioners of Capoeira Angola and attract new admirers and people interested in learning the traditional game. The format of these events was innovative because it created bridges between the practitioners of Capoeira Angola and other segments of society such as: religious leaders, especially those linked to the Candomblés of Angola; anti-racist organizations of the “black movement”; organizations involved with other forms of black culture; intellectuals and scholars; and governmental organizations, especially in the cultural area. In some years, these events gained larger proportions, assuming a national and international character, and began to be held by other nascent groups of Capoeira Angola, mainly during the 1990s. Such events were established as an important part of a regular calendar activities that helped to construct the new community of “angoleiros”.

One important aspect of the ideology and actions implemented by the Capoeira Angola groups created in this period involves the denunciation of racism in Brazil. The events promoted in memory of Mestre Pastinha, carried out on the date of his death (November 13th), soon became part of the agenda of commemorations and reflections of the National Day of Black Consciousness (November 20th). More than a coincidence of dates, this approximation reveals a process of growing politicization in the universe of Capoeira Angola, synchronized with the general trend in the black cultural scene in Bahia...

... This community became very heterogeneous – including people of various ethnic and racial origins, social classes, nationalities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations- and this has been the backdrop for the construction of the angoleiro’s identity. Therefore, affirming oneself as an “angoleiro(a)” today implies dealing with diversity, rejecting any ideal of purity and homogeneity.

Afro-Brasilian Festival - June 2nd!

Thank you Canjica!

We had a great visit with Treinel Canjica from FICA- Seattle.
As part of his visit, we played at the Bellingham Farmers' Market.

An article in the Western Front

WWU's student newspaper has written another feature about our work. you can read it here.

Spring Quarter

Our regular practices will be held on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 in the MultiPurpose Room of the Viking Union: bring shoes and pants you feel comfortable moving in, and come prepared to spend at least some time being upside down!

All experience levels are always welcome!

We are also meeting on Saturdays (including tomorrow) specifically to focus on learning the music and songs associated with capoeira. Given the forecast of rain for tomorrow, we will meet at the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, at the north end of downtown: the address is 1220 Bay Street, close to the intersection of Bay and Holly Street. we will have (some) instruments to provide.

A journalist from the Western Front came to see our Saturday music practices, and took some pictures. Here's one:

A few dates to look out for: 

-we will be having a roda at the African - Caribbean culture night on Saturday April 27th 

- On Sunday May 5th, Community to Community is sponsoring a Farmworker march that will end at Maritime Heritage Park. Participate, and perhaps join in a roda at the march's end!

- We will be having a performance/roda at the WWU event Cabaret on May 18th

-The Folklife festival in Seattle will be memorial day weekend. there will be a roda there with members of FICA and other capoeiristas!

-This year's Afro-Brasilian Festival is scheduled for June 2nd.

Join us in our 7th annual Community Supported Justice potluck as we honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and the work of Community to Community Development (C2C). This year, we will be honoring the work of Columbia Legal Services and Executive Director, Aurora Martin, our keynote speaker. More than ever before, C2C needs the support of the community as we move into a critical year for immigration, economic, gender and racial justice. Help us fund the movement at the grassroots, raise awareness and build community! Don’t miss this opportunity to continue the legacy of Cesar Chavez! Aurora Martin is the Director of Columbia Legal Services (CLS), a statewide non-profit civil legal services program whose mission is to achieve social and economic justice for low-income people in Washington State. Among the many communities CLS serves, the program has a long history of serving farm workers and immigrant working families across Washington to ensure the protection and advancement of equal justice and opportunity for all. Aurora has worked to recruit farm worker attorneys to her program. In addition, she has worked with Community to Community on cooperative development for local farm worker women and a pilot project with Heritage University Latino farm worker and Yakama nation students to develop a community program intended to foster public service, entrepreneurship and leadership in the Yakima Valley. Friday, March 29th, 5:30-7:30 pm St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center 3333 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham, WA COST: A healthy potluck dish and $5 solidarity donation. DESSERT WILL BE PROVIDED by Las Margaritas www.foodjustice.org for more information

UPDATE: visit by Mestre Cobra Mansa

Bom dia! as winter quarter comes to a close, a few announcements. 1) we WILL be training next monday, March 18th, at 5:30 in the Lounge of the Fairhaven commons. 2) we are continuing to meet on Saturdays to play music at the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, at the corner of Bay and Holly. 3) Next quarter we will be back to train in the MPR at the Viking Union 4) Mestre Cobra Mansa, the founder of the International Capoeira Angola Foundation, and easily one of the most important living Mestres of Capoeira Angola will be in Seattle, Olympia and Portland on March 22 - 26. This is a very exciting opportunity that does not happen often! The schedule is below: MARCH 22 SEATTLE/ UNION CULTURAL CENTER 803 SOUTH KING ST/INT.DISTRICT/ SEATTLE, WA 98118 -capoeira angola roda: 7 to 9pm MARCH 23 UNION CULTURAL CENTER -10am to 12pm - capoeira angola workshop -1pm to 2:30pm - lecture / roots of capoeira angola -2:30pm to 4:30pm - capoeira angola workshop -4:30pm - roda please, for the workshops bring your own berimbau MARCH 24 OLYMPIA/ EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE 2700 EVERGREEN PKWY NW OLYMPIA, WA 98505 THE EVENT WILL BE AT THE LONGHOUSE -10am to 12pm : capoeira angola workshop -1pm to 2pm :lecture- permaculture in brazil -4pm : capoeira angola workshop and roda EVENT INVESTMENT: $20 per class $50 for the weekend MARCH 25/ 26 PORTLAND, OREGON Monday, March 25th Capoeira Angola Workshop - 5:30 to 7:30 pm ($20) Welcome Roda! - 7:30 to 9:00 pm (All are welcome to come play.) Tuesday, March 26th Morning Training - 7:00-9:00 am ($20) Capoeira Angola Workshop - 5:30 to 7:30 pm ($20) Presentation from Mestre Cobra Mansa: Searching for the roots of Capoeira - 8:00 to 9:30 pm ($10) $60 for all Portland Workshops. Please RSVP, as space is limited!