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Capoeira
What the hell is it?
When first mentioned in the pub by Flavia, a visiting Brazilian to Ireland, I jumped up and down with excitement at the idea of it. Fifteen or sixteen beautiful bodied people moving quickly in their contortionist positions around a stage would mesmerise anybody. My excitement was infectious because LASC jumped at the idea (in practice for the eventual Capoeira workshops to come).
After ten months preparation, communication, organisation (some of it not too successful) the big day came. It was the biggest activity organised yet by LASC. All but one person was to arrive in Dublin airport between 4.30 - 5.00 p. m. direct from Brazil, some from Copenhagen, Paris and Montpelier. Expecting some hick- ups it was no surprise that there was lost baggage between London and Dublin, and a lost body between Copenhagen and Dublin. Thankfully the first night went off peacefully though, everyone in their beds with their bags and their first taste of the Irish Negro. Guinness, for those of you who haven’t guessed.
Their first gig was an example of what was to come, so those of you who saw it will know what you missed in Belfast and Drogheda. And those of you who missed it, well, hard luck!
Senzala Capoeira Group presented a show never to be forgotten. Their movements, whether a fisher’s dance, a warrior stance or graceful god was made to the rhythm of an afro-Brazilian beat. The beat was played on the atabaque (large drum) and the berimbau, a 6ft high curved piece of wood with a long bow made of natural fibres ( in times past the bow was made of animal gut) and a circular wooden ball that when struck makes a twangy sound. The show started slow with the Music Centre pitch dark, except for a single candle and a song by Mestre Toni. As the other capoeiristas joined in the movements, song and instrument playing, lead by Mestre Peixinho, we the audience clapped, moved and interacted with the performers. It reached a crescendo with the rhythm of Samba Reggae and the madness set in. St Paddy’s night saw more of the audience on the stage than performers dancing , with our hips swaying and our feet slipping into the samba beat.
Capoeira, a marital art, a ritualised dance or a play, is practised on street corners by Capoeira groups in Brazil. Some can be quite violent. Others learn Capoeira to maintain and preserve Brazil’s cultural heritage, remembering the Africans who were forced to travel in ships, and remain in slavery. Their songs lament and remember the pain, others pay homage to gods and chant of their strengths and of all things tell jokes and stories.
Those of you, who were privileged to participate in the Capoeira workshops will agree, it’s easy! All the mestres, professors and assistants lead us in developing our own "Jinga" or movement, teaching us the basic movements in an hour an a half. Some people managed handstands, others to dance Maculele (with sticks, not machetes) And in Drogheda the participants played the Berimbau. But how many of you have the Capoeira Jinga now?
For those interested in maintaining your Jinga, or developing one of your own, there is a possibility that Professor Arruda will return to Ireland in Autumn. Please contact us and we will pass your address or telephone number to him.