Capoeira-Esporao.co.uk
Title
Esporao - Capoeira in London
Description
Capoeira is a dynamic fight / dance that comes from the country of Brazil. But when two people do Capoeira together they do not 'dance' or 'fight' they are said to 'play' a 'game' of Capoeira. Capoeira is played in a circle of people headed by a group of musicians. This circle is called a 'roda'. Capoeira has many components in its making including the physical, musical, and traditional.
The physical component sees practitioners learning fast, circular kicks interlaced seamlessly with acrobatic movements and contortion. Physical training of Capoeira includes intense concentration on fitness, flexibility, acrobatics, strength and combat. There are broadly speaking two styles of Capoeira, Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional. Angola is slower, closed and deceptive game of entrapment that relies on cunning and guile. Its movements are very close to the ground and rely on strong balance and positioning. Capoeira Regional is a newer and more energetic form relying on speed, acrobatics and precision. Its movements are flamboyant and often involve the player leaving the ground in aerial movements. Both forms continually develop and evolve in this living art.
Capoeira is played to traditional songs sung in Portuguese and accompanied by a small orchestra of traditional African instruments. These primitive percussion instruments follow the lead instrument called a 'berimbau'. The music generally follows a pattern of call and answer with the person playing the berimbau singing a 'call' and waiting for the rest of the 'roda' to sing the reply. The music sets the pace for the game and indicates what style of game should be played. Some songs relate to very specific situations or events in the 'roda' whereas others simply tell a story. Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional each have their own very distinctive songs and rhythms each tied in closely with their traditions. A serious student of Capoeira is expected to know how to play all of the instruments and sing the songs of both styles.
