As the title says, this month's dance favourite for me is Capoeira. Not only because I'm researching it for my university project, but because mid-month there was a popular cultural event at the university called: UFSCtock ("oof-stock-ee") and Capoeira groups performed for most of the week to celebrate it. Although I haven't actually tried it yet, I love to watch Capoeira! It's a dance/martial art form with a lot of historical background.
It originated from Angola, Africa and was brought over by African slaves during the colonial period. In Brazilian historical terms, Capoeira was born in the northern state of Bahia where it was practiced by slaves only. It's non-contact, and the aim nowadays is to trip your opponent using a series of fast jabs and movements at the competition. As you'll see in the video, it's incredible to watch and the "player" or "Capoeirista" needs a lot of core and upper body strength to be able to play properly. I think the closest Western equivalent would be martial arts (forgive the generalisation) or break dancing.
Looking at it through the eyes of a researcher, it is interesting for me to see how it can go from being a dance to a fight in a matter of seconds. It is all so spontaneous and yet one must have to learn some choreographed moves in order to go through with it, like the kicks and the acrobatics (a technical term of course).
Throughout the ages it has faced many a change in identity. In the twentieth century it was used in big cities and got many gangs into trouble because they used knives to fight as well.
All the Capoeiristas seem to know the lyrics to the chants too. They're in the style of African tribal chants and they usually tell of Capoeira, Capoeira living in their hearts, Brazil and patriotism for Brazil (which I believe stimulates originally from the African slaves chanting about missing their home countries and how it'll always be in their hearts, considering the chant talks about being Brazilian (so Angolan etc) until they die).
It's all rather incredible! And you must have to be *so* fit to be able to get good at it! Not having much core strength, I think I'd struggle to pull half those moves off! But it is wonderful to observe.
Here in Floripa it's quite popular! In the university it's practiced on a regular basis and people also practice it casually in the Centro and at university parties as well!! If you've been following my videos from the beginning, you might remember the guys from the Congresso after-party one night (Week 3). (Wow! Such a long time ago!!)
For now I'm going to leave you with a clip from the UFSCtock display, I hope you enjoy!!
It originated from Angola, Africa and was brought over by African slaves during the colonial period. In Brazilian historical terms, Capoeira was born in the northern state of Bahia where it was practiced by slaves only. It's non-contact, and the aim nowadays is to trip your opponent using a series of fast jabs and movements at the competition. As you'll see in the video, it's incredible to watch and the "player" or "Capoeirista" needs a lot of core and upper body strength to be able to play properly. I think the closest Western equivalent would be martial arts (forgive the generalisation) or break dancing.
Looking at it through the eyes of a researcher, it is interesting for me to see how it can go from being a dance to a fight in a matter of seconds. It is all so spontaneous and yet one must have to learn some choreographed moves in order to go through with it, like the kicks and the acrobatics (a technical term of course).
Throughout the ages it has faced many a change in identity. In the twentieth century it was used in big cities and got many gangs into trouble because they used knives to fight as well.
All the Capoeiristas seem to know the lyrics to the chants too. They're in the style of African tribal chants and they usually tell of Capoeira, Capoeira living in their hearts, Brazil and patriotism for Brazil (which I believe stimulates originally from the African slaves chanting about missing their home countries and how it'll always be in their hearts, considering the chant talks about being Brazilian (so Angolan etc) until they die).
It's all rather incredible! And you must have to be *so* fit to be able to get good at it! Not having much core strength, I think I'd struggle to pull half those moves off! But it is wonderful to observe.
Here in Floripa it's quite popular! In the university it's practiced on a regular basis and people also practice it casually in the Centro and at university parties as well!! If you've been following my videos from the beginning, you might remember the guys from the Congresso after-party one night (Week 3). (Wow! Such a long time ago!!)
For now I'm going to leave you with a clip from the UFSCtock display, I hope you enjoy!!