WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed initially by African slaves in the colonial period; these slaves practiced fighting techniques on the pretense of dance and religious gatherings to increase their chances for liberty and independence.
Capoeira is marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted and is always played with afro-Brazilian rhythms lead by the berimbau.

Music

Capoeiristas sing about a wide variety of subjects. Some songs are about history or stories of famous capoeiristas. Some songs attempt to inspire players in the roda while others are about what is going on within the roda. Sometimes the songs are about life, or love lost. Others are lighthearted or even silly things, sung just for fun.
Capoeiristas change their playing style significantly as the songs or rhythm from the berimbau commands. In this manner, it is truly the music that drives Capoeira.

Roda

The game or “jogo” takes place within a circle of participants referred to as “roda de capoeira” where two of them enter at time and spar at the singing/clapping sound and vigilant eyes of the others.
The game is circular and dynamic with high and low movements where players alternate attacking and evasion of striking sequences in a continuous flow of movements.
Hits usually aren't made but feigned or just shown. The players often turn away from each other's hits just to throw their own.
The roda is a microcosm which reflects the macrocosm of life and the world around us. Most often in the roda, your greatest opponent is yourself.
Philosophy plays a large part in Capoeira and the best teachers strive to teach Respeito (Respect), Responsabilidade (Responsibility), Segurança (Safety/Security), Malícia (Cleverness /Street-smarts), and Liberdade (Liberty/Freedom).