An Interactive Presentation by: Melanie Marquez

CapoeiraWhat is capoeira?History The GameBasic MovesMusicSpecial EventsCapoeira TodayG.V.S.U. Capoeira MandingaAbout the AuthorResourcesConcept Map

What is Capoeira?Capoeira is an activity that combines martial

arts, exercise, dance movements , and game strategy that originated in Brazil

It is both an art form and method of self-defense involving a lot of aerobic activity, flexibility, endurance, and alertness

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The GameCapoeira focuses on technique, skill, and strategy of

movements rather than beating or injuring the opponent.

Participants of capoeira (called Capoeiristas) often show the movement or attack without full execution and often don’t make physical contact with their opponents

Each “attack” by the opponent becomes a way to show a creative escape technique rather than a more difficult “attack”

There are no specific rules of play as in most other sports.

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History Although there is not one clear

origin of capoeira, it is thought to be developed by African slaves working on sugar plantations in Brazil in the 1600s.

It began as a way for the slaves, in secrecy, to build up mental and physical strength with the intention of being used in rebellion against their owners.

This physical activity was camouflaged from slave owners as a dance or form of entertainment through the use of musical instruments, clapping, and singing by participants

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Capoeira TodayIn 1974, capoeira was officially named the national sport of Brazil. Since then, the popularity of the sport has grown immensely in Brazil and worldwide. There are now numerous clubs and organizations in schools

and universities around the globe, including the United States. There are even academies specifically for capoeira. These groups are dedicated to teaching

the art, skills, and traditions of capoeira to students of all ages and backgrounds.

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Basic MovesThere are several fundamental movements used while

playing capoeira.Ginga-One of the first movements learned by players,

ginga involves placing both feet shoulder-width apart (base position), and then moving one foot backward, then back to the base . This movement is continued, alternating feet each time .

Attacks-Players use a variety of different kicks, head and elbow strikes, and foot sweeps to challenge their opponents. These movements can often be very acrobatic or athletic.

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Click Here to Learn How to Ginga

Click Here to See an Attack and Defense Technique

Basic Moves ContinuedDefenses- In order to escape the opponent’s

attacks or set up an attack on the other person, players use an assortment of low rolls, ducks, and escapes (called esquivas)

Combinations/Sequences-Players also learn different sequences of movements with partners that combine attacks and defenses. For example, in the “au batido” move begins as a cartwheel and ends in a blocking kick.

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Click Here to Learn How to Do a Basic Esquiva

Click Here to View Capoeira Sequences

MusicMusic is an integral part of capoeira. Through

the use of musical instruments and songs performed by the participants, the music sets the tempo and style of the game being played.

Some of the main instruments used in capoeira are:

-berimbau: a bow-like instrument with a steel string and gourd that is played with a stick

-tambourines-conga-like drums

tambourine

drums

berimbauQuit

Click to hear a capoeira song!

People play capoeira games in a “roda” (pronounced ho-da) in which players stand in a circle and take turns playing two at a time in the center of the circle.

The players standing around the circle clap and sing along to the music played by the musicians also in the circle

Once two people begin, other players can

enter the game by going in front of the musicians, whoallow them to enter

Special Events

QuitCapoeiristas in a Roda

Special Events ContinuedCapoeira groups also hold ceremonies called

“Batizados” (baptism in Portuguese) which are gatherings of capoeira players and masters

Players are “baptized” into the art and family of capoeira by playing in a roda with one of the masters of capoeira (a very highly ranked player)

Players are given a corda (cord belt, similar to the belt ranking system of karate) and apelido (capoeira nickname)

People can also take part in a Troca de Corda (change of corda/belt) at a Batizado and receive a higher-ranked belt after much trainingClick the Link Below For a Video From a Batizado:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HgxpD32Zlfs&feature=related

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Click Here to View the Different Corda Rankings

Corda (Cord) Rankings in CapoeiraWhile each capoeira group can establish its own system of

color rankings, this is the original system established by the Capoeira Federation in order from lowest to highest

ranked (labels in parentheses). Green cords (first baptized)

Yellow and Green Yellow

Yellow and Blue Blue (Graduated Student)

Green, Yellow, and Blue (Professor) White, Green, Yellow, and Blue (Contre-Mestre)

Green and White (First Degree Master) Yellow and White (Second Degree Master)

Blue and White (Third Degree Master) White (Grand Master)

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G.V.S.U. Capoeira MandingaGrand Valley State University is one of a growing number

of universities with a club for students practicing capoeira.The organization meets during the school year on:

-Sundays : 3:30-6:30 P.M.-Tuesdays: 8:00-9:30 P.M.-Thursdays: 8:00-9:30 P.M.

During these meetings, participants train and practice various movements and techniques, play each other in rodas, learn about the traditions and history of capoeira, and most importantly, have fun!

For more information, visit the club’s website: http://www.gvsumandinga.org

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About the AuthorMy name is Melanie Marquez and I am a

sophomore at Grand Valley State University. I am working toward a major is English Language Arts and minors in Elementary Education and Spanish. I hope to become an elementary school teacher in the future.

Some of my hobbies include reading, working with children, spending time with my family and friends, and practicing capoeira at G.V.S.U.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at:

marquezm@student.gvsu.edu

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ResourcesCapoeira Images:

http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/montana/94/guestbook.htmwww.capoeirasenzala.dkhttp://www.capoeirayork.com/what_is.shtmlhttp://www.biosferabrasil.com/img/ITrb_capoeira_pontadoxareu.jpghttp://capoeira.uchicago.edu/Gallery/Kristie/studio/back_handspring.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Roda_de_capoeira2.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Rugendasroda.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Brazil.svghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/infinitewilderness/292841144/in/set-72157594368755437/www.planetcapoeira.com/roda/events.php

www.comunidadesegura.org/?q=es/node/37718/printwww.blackpoolkarate.com/freeclipart.htm

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Resources ContinuedVideo Links:

Ginga: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TqznVS1CWZ0&feature=relatedAttacks: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VOfHMm_AkhMDefenses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59QmK9_KVmQ&feature=relatedSequences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w31tHhAp7OUBatizado: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HgxpD32Zlfs&feature=related

General Information about Capoeira:http://www.capoeirabrasiltucson.com/history-capoeira.asp#quatrohttp://www.mandinga.org/capoeira.html

Audio Clip: Original Recording from G.V.S.U. Capoeira Club

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Concept Map

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