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Both the martial and dance side of Capoeira training attract students to this Afro-Brazilian art. Technically, training will involve a preliminary warm-up, standing exercises that emphasize ginga (footwork) and basic kicking. This is followed by walking sequences and individual or partner practice in somersaults, backflips and headstands.
Capoeristas
pracitising
Whether a student is practicing Angola or Regional Capoeira, he will normally engage in a stylized dance (usually lasting around 30 minutes) or "game" called a jogo that is carried out in a roda (circular ring). Two players exchange offensive and defensive techniques in a constant flow, each trying to gain control over the other with feints or tricky moves. What makes this activity artistic is its musical accompaniment. The pace and nature of movement is guided by the music played by the people around the Capoeristas.
Many types of instruments are used, including the:
Berimbau
(208
kb), a one-string musical bow
The Berimbau- Angola
(207 kb)
- Benguela
(204
kb)
- Regional
(199
kb)
- Pandeiro, a tambourine
- Atabaque, single-headed standing drum
- Reco-reco, grooved segment of bamboo scraped with a stick
- Agogo, single-headed standing drum
The surrounding people will also clap and sing songs.
Surrounding
people clapping and singing
Like challenges? Take the Capoeira Quiz.
Image
of
"Berimbau" and
Sound Clips of "Berimbau", "Angola", " Benguela",
"Regional" from
Capoeira Brazil (http://capoeira.clanpages.com/index.htm).
Aug 2001. Email message.
Images
of
"Capoeristas pracitising"
from
Chimp's Capoeira Gallery (http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/court/8702/class4.html).
Aug 2001. Email message.
Image
of "Surrounding people clapping and singing"
from
Capoeira San Diego (http://home.san.rr.com/sunny/capoeira/main.html).
Aug 2001. Email message.
