Capoeira - a Brazilian combat dance
Capoeira is a combat dance which afro-brazil slaves developed in their resistance. Acrobatics mixes itself in attack and defence with dance full and playful elements. The play follows the rhythm of traditional live music of the Capoeiristas (Capoeira - player) and is in pairs delivered. Capoeira was forbidden for centuries. Nevertheless the legendary Mestre Bimba created the first Capoeira School in the 30's of the last century in Salvador/Bahia. Many years later the Capoeira was officially permitted. But even than Capoeira was only played by the poor, black lower layer people. Today Capoeira is considered as national sport and is one the large cultural inheritance of Brazil.
In the middle of the 80's Capoeira also became popular outside of the borders of Brazil. The mixture of combat, dance, acrobatics and music makes it possible for us to find a way into the culture. The culture which finds its expression with the body as an instrument. They are to main types of Capoeira. Capoeira Angola is the rather playful and at the ground delivered one. Capoeira Regional is more dynamic, in which kicks and an increasing, fast play determine the rhythm.
Rules of Capoeira Regional (Mestre Bimba)
- The Bateria of Capoeira Regional consists of two Pandeiros and one Berimbau. The concept of Bateria in portuguese means "drum" and is a form of a brazilian music group. The pandeiro is a frame drum, and is similar to the tambourine. The Berimbau is a percussion instrument from the northeast of Brazil. It consists of a curved wooden stick (from the Arco Biriba wood). A wire (arami) attached as a string one its top and bottom of the stick, often taken from old car tires. The Cabaça, is a sliced pumpkin and it is the resonance body of this instrument. It is attached at the lower third of the arc on the bow and string.
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- Toques (Berimbau notes) for the Capoerira Regional are: Sao Bento Grande, Iuna, Banguela, Santa Maria, Idalina, Amazonas, Cavalaria and the anthem of capoeira regional.
- The game of Iuna - A exqlusive Toque accompanies Capoeiristas formados (educated players) during the game. It is imperative that the players at least show one of the Cintura desprezada movements.
- At the Academy of Master Bimba, there was the "Esquenta banho" (the bath is heated). It was an art ceremonial immediately after class was held. While waiting for the bathroom, the students were on the "floor of the truth". This marked the floor space in the queue for the bathroom. The bath itself was a simple one-time plunge. Thus, all students take a bath. Because sometimes the number of students in a training course was very large, it could be the ceremony more than two hours.
- "Bumba meu boi" literally translated means "Get up, my ox!", has its origin from a Brazilian festival in which an bull, has the central role. It consists of two or more Capoeirista together they crusade against on a single Capoeirista.
- Emboscada - was the section in the training as "specialists". The "Especializandos" were separated into two groups by Mestre Bimba. One group chased the other group. This happened on the site northeast of CARUANA Amaralina, which was one of the educational centers of the Capoeira Regional. The graduation was a complex case.
- "Aguardente mulher" (Spiritual Woman), was actually "Mulher Barbara," the secret formula of Mestre Bimba for students on the day of the ceremony.
- "Ponta de Berimbau" (Berimbau rim) was the construction of Master Bimba.
- The course of specialization was only for "formados alunos.
- The "Apito" (pipe) was also on other solemn occasions used. We say "futurament".
- "Arranca medalha", literally translated demolish the medal was fantastic. The older Capoeiristas were trained for training purposes by the students. That was a real baptism of fire.