11/30/07

Post-Turkey Day Roda in Philly

Last Saturday, a flock of capoeiristas braved the holiday traffic to gather in Philadelphia for a post-Thanksgiving roda with Mestre Valmir and Mestre Cobra Mansa. Many had come to participate in the workshops with M Valmir that FICA-Philadelphia had been hosting all week long.

It was a nice roda with lots of good energy and kids running around to make things exciting (perhaps more kids than adults...)

Besides the Philly folk, there were people from Atlanta, DC, Baltimore, New York, and even Maine-- but the best holiday surpise of all was the presence of the ladies from FICA-Oakland! It was so good to see you all.



Many thanks to FICA-Philadelphia for hosting. It was a blast.

11/29/07

Come Celebrate 90 Years of M João Pequeno

Get ready for a busy December for all angoleir@s in Salvador. Between the end of the year events at FICA-Bahia and these activities in honor of Mestre João Pequeno, you're sure to find many things to fill your hours. Have fun!

90 Revolutions around the World of Capoeira & Society

Schedule of Events

On the 1st, 7th, 15th, and 22nd of December, we will hold events that demonstrate the importance of capoeira in Brazilian culture, and its expansion to all continents, highlighting the contributions of Mestre João Pequeno de Pastinha in this historic Brazilian cultural phenomenon. Culminating in a traditional capoeira road and a celebration on December 27th, in honor of Mestre’s birthday.


Saturday, December 1
Women honor João Pequeno

1:00 pm – Opening of the Photograph Exhibit in honor of the 90 years of life and 75 years of capoeira of de João Pequeno de Pastinha. The exhibit will be open from Dec 1, 2007- January 2008.

1:15 – 2:00 pm - Banda Didá sings the National Anthem and other songs

2:00 – 2:20 pm – Recital performance with Importúnio Poético – Nascimento

2:20 pm – Honoring of Srª. Edelzuita, popularly known as Dona Mãezinha, wife of Mestre João Pequeno – A heroine by the side of a hero for more than 40 years.

2:25 – 4:00 pm – Seminar
Theme: Gender and Capoeira, Women in Capoeira in the Past and Today
Panelists: Janja Araujo, Adriana Albert Dias e Christian Zonzon
Mediator: Janja Araújo, M.A. in history

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Women’s Roda – 90 Revolutions Around the World of João
5:15 – 6:00 pm - Alice de Sanayá – Lullabies for the Boy João Pequeno
7:00 pm – Traditional Capoeira Roda – under the direction of Mestre João Pequeno


Saturday, December 7
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Berimbau workshop (Aranha e Nani)
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Seminar
Theme: Cultural Diversity
Panelists: Jorge Conceição, Pedro Abib, & Sérgio Guedes
Mediator: Jorge Conceição

5:15 – 6:00 pm – Presentation by Grupo de Samba Botequim.
7:00 pm - Traditional Capoeira Roda – under the direction of Mestre João Pequeno


Saturday, December 15
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Pandeiro workshop with musician Naoya Sawada
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Seminar
Theme: Capoeira, economics, and ethnic tourism
Panelists: Luiz Vitor, Billy Arquimimo, & Mestre Moraes (GCAP)
Mediator: Luiz Vitor Castro
* with a film screening

7:00 pm - Traditional Capoeira Roda – under the direction of Mestre João Pequeno


Saturday, December 22
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Caxixi-making workshop – with Professors Aranha e Zoinho.
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Seminar
Theme: Where is the capoeira and the capoeira
Panelists: representatives of the academy and groups of Mestre João Pequeno, Academia de AJPP- CECA - Forte Santo Antonio, Núcleo de Pernambués - Mestre Ciro, Núcleo do Rio Vermelho – Mestre Faísca

7:00 pm - Traditional Capoeira Roda – under the direction of Mestre João


Thursday, December 27 – Birthday of Mestre João Pequeno
3:00 – 3:10 – Opening: 90 Voltas ao mundo de capoeira e mandinga – On the trail of the tame snake that crawls along the floor, this Mestre João
Panelists: João Pequeno, Aranha (Isac Damasceno), Zoinho (Everaldo) Cristiane Miranda (Nani)

3:10 – 3:20 pm – Exposition of pieces from the recycling workshop

3:20 – 4:00 pm – Poetry (children and teens) – Recital – Collective creation, directed by Lutigarde Oliveira - Célia Alves

4:00 – 4:30 – Theater (teens) Born to be a Doctor – Text & Direction by: Nildes Sena, Choreography by Alexandre Moraes, Modeling by Nildes/Alexandre

4:30 – 5:00 pm – Berimbau show (teens). Direction & conception by Isac Damasceno (Aranha) and Cristiane Miranda (Nani)

5:00 – 5:40 pm – Capoeira Angola roda with kids – Teachers Everaldo (Zoinho), Marcos (Grito), Marcos Manoel (Marquinhos), and Benilton.

5:40 – 6:00 pm – Samba de roda (children and teens) Responsible: Alexandre Moraes and Lucilene Assi

6:00 pm – Traditional Capoeira Roda
Happy birthday, cutting of the cake, & fun!


Contacts:
Contatos: Nildes Sena // Zoinho(Everaldo)
71- 33262366 // 71 -99255830.
71 33230708 - AJPP – CECA

11/28/07

December Event in São Paulo

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE FOR THIS HAS CHANGED!!***
Friends of Rio Vermelho

Saturday
12/22/2007
2:00 pm

Workshop with Mestre Plinío
Capoeira Angola Sim Sinhô – SP

Roda de capoeira with the participation of invited mestres
Samba de roda
Afoxé
Workshop

Cost
R$30 – Friends of Rio Vermelho
(workshop + drinks + churrasco)

R$20 – Friends of Rio Vermelho
(drinks + churrasco)

Tickets are on sale only until December 8.

CRVCA - Centro Rio Vermelho Capoeira Angola
Rua Petronilia Antunes, 363 – Center – Jundiaí – SP (old bus station)


Thanks to Galinho de Ouro for the flyer.

11/27/07

Capoeira Angola Calendar 2007-2008

This is what we got going on pretty much through til next year:

November 2007
27 – Dec 2, Mestre Valmir Workshops – Washington, DC
27 – Dec 2, Encounter with Mestres Lua de Bobo & Jogo de Dentro – Bogotá, Colombia
30 – Dec 2, Workshops with Mestre Poloca – London, UK

December 2007
1, Seminar on African Divinities - São Paulo, BR
5-11, Workshops with M Cobra Mansa - Bogota, Colombia
7 – 9, 4th Capoeira Angola Encounter – SP, BR
12, Movie Screening FICA-Bahia - Salvador, BR
14-15 Roda de Malungos, FICA-Bahia - Salvador, BR
22, Final Roda of the Year, FICA-Bahia - Salvador, BR
30, Roda in honor of Mestre João Pequeno – Salvador, BR

January 2008
5, First Roda of the New Year, FICA-Bahia, -Salvador, BR

February 2008
1-3, 4th African Encounter – Maputo, Mozambique

March 2008
7 – 9, FICA Women’s Conference – Washington, DC, USA

April 2008
23 - 27, Event with Mestre João Grande, New York City, USA

Summer 2008
Annual FICA International Encounter – Chicago, USA

November 2008
FICA-Seattle hosts Mestre Pastinha / Zumbi Weekend - Seattle, USA


I'm sure there will be *many* additions throughout the year. Let us know if your event is missing.

This Weekend in DC: M Valmir

M Valmir is in town this week. If you are able to come down for evening class (music 6-7, movement 7-9) during the week, that would be great. If not, come this weekend:

SPECIAL WEEKEND EVENT WITH MESTRE VALMIR

When: Nov 30 - Dec 2
Where: FICA-DC, 733 Euclid Street, NW, Washingon, DC
Price: $40.00 for the whole weekend or $15/class

Schedule:
Friday - Music class from 6 to 7pm and movement class from 7 to 9:30pm;

Saturday - Movement class from 10am to 12pm;
Music class from 3-4pm;
Movement class from 4-6pm.

Sunday - Movement class from 10am to 12pm followed by a roda from 12 to 5pm.

11/25/07

Capoeira Event in Maputo, Mozambique

Mark your calendars. From Mozambique:

IV Encontro Africano de Capoeira Angola - Maputo 2008

Alo pessoal!

After a year of distance and missing, we are back with our Conference.

With the same axé, energy, brotherness, fellowship, adventure through nice beaches and places of our rich and Beautiful Mozambique that characterises our conference and above everything this year we bring more knowledge and experience from distinct and Honored Capoeira Angola Masters the conference is back.

From the 1st to the 3rd of February 2008.

Informations:
call: +258 82 7606820 / +258 82 7298950
email: isaac.mandlate(at)gmail(dot)com

11/21/07

São Paulo: 4th Capoeira Angola Encounter

4th Capoeira Angola Encounter

Schedule of Events
Friday - 12/07/07 - P.PTA - SP
7:30 pm – Opening event with “vadiagem” for invited guests, samba de roda, and cocktails at the "Os Angoleiros do Sertão" space.

Saturday – 12/08/07 - ASSIS - SP
9:00 am – 11:00 am – Workshop with Mestre Cláudio de Feira de Santana-BA
Noon – 1:30 pm: Break for lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Percussion workshop with Contra Mestre Xandão (Paraguaçu Pta) and movement with Contra Mestre Xandy (Rancharia)
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Workshop with Contra Mestre Tico (Bauru)
5:30 pm: Round table discussion with Mestre Cláudio
Theme: Experiences in Europe and the Capoeira Angola roda
6:00 pm: Vadiagem with all participants, samba de roda, and fun til…

Sunday – 12/09/07 - RANCHARIA - SP
10:00 am - 12:00 noon: Vadiagem at the fair
2:00 pm: Talk with Mestre Cláudio
3:00 pm: Visit to the swimming hole and sambe de roda
Notice: There will be a bus

Notices:
* The presence of the illustrious Mestre Cláudio
* Registration cost = R$30,00
* Lunch will be provided
* All workshop participants will receive a certificate
* Register soon, spaces are limited

****************************

We hope to see you all there!!!

For more information, contact: (18)97138161 ask to speak with Xandão or Sereia.

Permangola 2008: 1st Agropecologica Meeting

Working hard down on the farm.


Mestre Cobra Mansa, beyond being a mestre of Capoeira Angola, is also dedicated to the practice of permaculture at his farm in Valença, Bahia. He along with several other specialists will be hosting the first Agropercologica Meeting, an event which will combine agriculture, permaculture, ecological construction, and Capoeira Angola, at the farm this January. Here are the details:

The seed of Kilombo Tenonde was planted hundreds of years ago in the quilombos of Brasil.

Kilombo Tenonde recognizes the existence of new forms of oppression in modern, industrial society. By promoting the re-generation of creativity, thought, and purpose, Kilombo Tenonde provides a chance to rebuild community structures that have been eroded.

And here we are today!

"Permangola 'The first Agropercologica' Meeting" is a series of workshops that provide an introduction into alternative systems of construction, agriculture, energy and Capoeira Angola here in Valença, BA and the rest of the world. In this meeting, we will unveil the first practical steps towards achieving sustainability.

Agroforest
In agroecology, agroforest is one of the most effective methods of creating diversity in crops and green areas (i.e., forests) for food production.
Topics Include:
· Types of agroforest
· Organization and preparation of seeds and seedlings
· On-site construction

Permaculture
Created in Australia during the 1970`s and presently used all over the worlds, permaculture combines traditional knowledge with new techniques to create permanent solutions while respecting the principles of nature.
Topics Include:
· Design and landscaping
· Water: Collection, storage, and recycling
· Soil management

Bioconstruction
Using environmentally-friendly material (i.e., bamboo, adobe, recycled objects), bioconstruction combines technique with creativity in the development of homes, structures for food production, natural purification systems, plant and animal habitats, etc.
Topics include:
· Bamboo: Use and management
· Superadobe: Technique and construction
· Water purification systems

What’s more. . . Come and learn how to use vegetable oil to transform your gas guzzling car!!!

When: January 15 - 21, 2008
Where: Kilombo Tenonde
Valenca Road BR
KM 23 (Bomfim)

Click here to see pictures of the Kilombo Tenonde in Valenca.

Cost for non-Brazilian: US$120 (Includes food and camp site)

*Please bring your own tent & sleeping bag
**Transportation from Salvador to Valença not included

Organizers:
Phill
Lua Santana
Isabel Modenci
Paulo Feliciano
Paula Elaine
Dona Eliane

Contacts:
Mestre Cobra Mansa
cobramansa (at) hotmail (dot) com
011 55 71 3217 4946

This is what happens if you forget your sleeping bag.

11/19/07

Chicago: Zumbi / Pastinha Weekend Wrap-Up

Dang!

Last weekend marked yet another successful Zumbi / Pastinha weekend event hosted by FICA-Chicago. (Above photo by Nora McMahon.)

Friday morning all those who had already arrived and were willing to wake up early took part in an early morning training with the Mestres. That evening, there was a white roda to open the event and honor the memories of Mestre Pastinha and Zumbi.

The next day was packed: two 3-hour classes, a lecture, lunch, and a party. There was barely time to breathe. We split up into two groups. Those with two years and less, and those with more than two years. Mestre Cobra Mansa gave the lunchtime lecture on the history of the berimbau. Later that night we came back to the space for the party. There was a rocking little roda. Following the roda, there was a jam session on the drum

One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting all the capoeiristas from across the USA. There were folks from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, Madison, Ohio, Washington, DC, and, of course, Chicago. I guess that's the advantage of having an event in the middle of the country.

Young students from Grupo Acupe in Indianapolis.


Another highlight of the conference was seeing a good number of kids play well. The kids from Grupo Acupe de Brotas, Marvin from FICA-Chicago, and Adrian and Ella from New York all wowed us in the roda.

There were also announcements about upcoming FICA events:

2007 Roda de Malungos, FICA Bahia, 7:00 pm, 12/14 - 12:00 noon, 12/15
2007 Final Roda of the Year, FICA-Bahia, 12/22
2008 FICA Women’s Conference will be held March 7 – 9 in Washington, DC
2008 International Capoeira Angola Encounter will be held in Chicago, Summer
2008 Mestre Pastinha/ Zumbi weekend will be held in Seattle, WA in November


M Jurandir leads the morning class with the help of CM Silvinho.


M Valmir rocks the agogô.


Alonso (FICA-Atl) and Cobra in the roda. photo by Nora McMahon.


Gunga, M Valmir; medio, T Beto; viola, M Jurandir, with M Cobra Mansa and Michelle, FICA-Chicago. photo by Nora McMahon.


Huu, FICA-Chicago, with CM Chorão, Grupo Acupe de Brotas. photo by Nora McMahon.


Everyone!



Here's a little slideshow:



I don't know why it turned out so little :(



See all Nora's pictures here.

And as always, more pictures on the Portuguese side of the blog.

Thanks again to T Beto, Huu, Michelle, Phu, Anne, Seth, Robert, Justin, Deanna, Kristen, Jenny, Ryan, Brian, Andy, Chelsea, Alycia, Geovannia, Mackel, Marvin, Marlon, Thea, and Ichi the Killer. We're looking forward to the big FICA conference this summer!

If you have any pictures to add, send them to us and we will put up the link.

Also, if you have photos from an event at your school, or an event that you attended, send them along and we will post them.

Upcoming Events at FICA-Bahia

December is going to be a busy month at FICA-Bahia. If you will be in the area, take advantage of these great activities!

The Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola invites all to participate in its end-of-the-year activities.

December
13
Screening of “Hotel Rwanda” by Terry George, 7 pm
Followed by a discussion with Mahomed Bamba, Ivory Coast
In collaboration with Cinemafro

14- 15
Roda de Malungos
Starts 7 pm 12/14 goes til noon 12/15
Organized by FICA-Bahia, Grupo Nzinga, Grupo Zimba

21
Video presentation, Akía Kokomuo Adessá, 7 pm

22
Last roda of the year

January
5
Roda de branco, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

All events will take place at the FICA-Bahia space, located at:
Rua Carlos Gomes, no. 111
Edificio Ester de Moura Franco, 5th Floor
Centro - Salvador - Bahia
(tel) 71 3321 7365


Many thanks to Mestre Valmir for the flyer.

11/16/07

Angoleiros in Colombia

(with a few Germans mixed in)

Fabricio, who trained with FICA-DC for years and then went baiano, training with FICA-Bahia and doing a lot of good work with kids and art, sent these pictures from a roda that was held in Colombia in honor of Mestre Pastinha.





Fabricio is trying to pull things together in Colombia, starting up a FICA study group and putting together some mestre workshops and events. There is also a Volta do Mundo group there that will be having an event at the end of the month.

If you have the opportunity to go to Colombia, make sure you drop him a line and get your Angola on.

11/15/07

Capoeira Angola in Bogota, Colombia

A note from international Angoleiro and great amigo, Fabricio:

Hello FICA family, angoleir@s and capoeiristas everywhere.

A big hug from Bogotá, Colombia! Whenever you would like to visit, you are welcome!

I am happy to share news about some events that happened/ will be happening for the first time here in Colombia.

This past Sunday, for the first time in Colombia, we celebrated Black Conciousness Month and the anniversaries of the deaths of Zumbi and Mestre Pastinha. We organized a discussion with a workshop and a Capoeira Angola roda with the participation of other groups.


The biggest news out of Colombia, is that Mestre Cobra Mansa will be here in December!

It is my pleasure to announce that Mestre Cobra Mansa will be visiting Colombia for the first time December 5 -11, 2007.

Mestre Cobrinha is coming to Colombia to present the documentary, Mandinga in Manhatten, to lead a Capoeira Angola workshop, and to discuss future cultural exchange projects with local organizations.


I am glad to invite the angoleir@ and capoeira community to participate in the events during Cobra Mansa’s visit to Colombia, and other activities that we are putting on over the next few months, which we will let you know about once they are confirmed.

As many of you already know, after spending nine wonderful Carnavals in Bahia, I have returned to my home country to continue promoting a cultural exchange between Brazil and Colombia, along with a lot lot of Capoeira Angola- especially now that the Culture Ministries of the two countries have agreed to promote more cultural exchange, and particularly in regard to the African diaspora in the two countries. Now that I am closer to the United States, and more available to travel, I hope to see all of you soon. Keep in mind that my door is always open here (as soon as I find an apt!)

For information, you can reach me at the following e-mail:
Apolere (at) yahoo (dot) com

Grande Abraço,

Fabrício – FICA – DC, BA, and soon, Bogotá!

São Paulo: Seminar on African Divinities

For those of you that will be in São Paulo in the beginning of December, this looks like a really interesting seminar (The event is going to be in Brazil, you can find the complete list of lectures on the Portuguese side of the blog—sorry, no time to translate everything):
IV Forum on the Theology of African Divinities
African Cultural Center (Centro Cultural Africano - CCA)

Location: PUC – Campus Monte Alegre SP/SP
Address: R Min. Godói, 969- Perdizes
When: December 1, 2007
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

The event will be coordinated by Nigerian and president of CCA, Otunba (king) Adekunle Aderonmu. We will also have specialists of the African Matriz Culture here in Brazil.

Registration is open until November 26. Please call: (11) 3392-7228/6123, or visit the website.

Because we are a non-profit organization, the registration costs will go towards funding the event.

Registration costs R$30,00 (thirty reais). It should be made as a bank deposit to:

BANCO ITAÚ
CENTRO CULTURAL AFRICANO
São Paulo/SP
Agência-0553
Conta Corrente-35201-4

Thanks to Galinho de Ouro for the flyer.

11/14/07

2008 FICA Women's Conference in Washington, DC

FICA-DC, with the support of FICA-Baltimore, invites all capoeiristas to join Mestre Paulinha along with other mestres and esteemed guests from all over the world take past in the 10th Annual FICA Women's Capoeira Angola Encounter, to be held in Washington, DC from March 6 - 9, 2008.

Further details will be posted as they become available. You may direct any inquiries about the event to: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Hope to see you there!

The women of FICA-DC & FICA-Baltimore, with Mestre Paulinha, at the first official planning meeting.

Black Consciousness Day in São Paulo

If you are going to be in São Paulo this November 20, commemorate Black Consciousness Day with Grupo Nzinga. They will present their Berimbau Orchestra and do a roda at SESC Avenida Paulista. Here are the details:
Week of Black Consciousness
From November 13 – 20

Films: November 13, 14, 17, & 18 7:00 pm

November 20, Day of Black Consciousness
Music, Dance, Gastronomy, Craft Goods

Nzinga Berimbau Orchestra and capoeira roda 11:00 am
Ethnic hair exposition with Chris Oliveira 11:00 am
Atelier Preta Pretinha and the creation of Black dolls 11:00 am
Afro-Brazilian cooking with Chef Benê Ricardo 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Afro-Brazilian dance workshops with Evandro Passos 2:00 pm
Grupo Okun – Origins, the creation of the world 4:00 pm
Madrigal of the Afro-Brazilian Philharmonic 5:00 pm

Location:
SESC Avenida Paulista
Avenida Paulista, 119
São Paulo, SP
Estação Brigadeiro
(11) 3179 3700

Thanks to Galinho de Ouro for passing along the information.

Where in the World is Mestre Poloca?

Mestre Poloca will be traveling all over Europe doing workshops for the next few weeks. Here is a skeleton of his schedule:

November 16 -18, Marburg, Germany
November 23 – 25, Berlim, Germany
November 30 – December 2, London, UK

If you want more information, try this contact:
Tina, Grupo Nzinga, T 691 34 18 or tina.schenck(at)gmx(dot)de

11/13/07

Remembering Mestre Pastinha

Today, there will be rodas de branco all over the world to honor the memory of Mestre Pastinha, Guardian of Capoeira Angola. On this day in 1981, Mestre Pastinha passed away. Due to his love for and dedication to it, Mestre Pastinha lives on in the memory of all angoleiros.

Here is a (translated) bit from an article written by Reynivaldo Brito in memory of Mestre Pastinha that appeared in A Tarde in 1988:

...[Mestre Pastinha] had a posture and an elegance of a prince and a lot of malícia… "Angola capoeira-mãe. Mandinga of the slave in anxiety for liberty; its principle has no method; its end is inconceivable to even the most wise capoerista" This inscription which he put in the main room of his academy and later brought it to his room on Alfredo Brito [Street] reflects his own existence. And, on different occasions, he spoke of all the “philosophy” of capoeira. “Capoeira is mandinga, it is manha, malícia, it is all that the mouth eats. Capoeira has a negative and a positive, it also has the truth. Negative is to act as if you are going to do something and you don’t. But in the moment that the guy least expects it, the capoeirista goes in and wins. I always say that capoeira will never end in Brazil because it is the mother of all fights."

Iê! Viva Pastinha!

11/8/07

Celebrating 15 Years of Angola Dobrada in BH

Coming up, an event to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of a Associação de Capoeira Angola Dobrada in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Here are the details:
We have the great pleasure to invite you to celebrate our fifteen years:

Associação de Capoeira Angola Dobrada, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
From November 13 - 16, 2007

Schedule of Events
Tuesday, Nov 13
Roda in honor of Mestre Pastinha - 7:00 pm

Wednesday, Nov 14
Video Screening - 7:00 pm
Open-themed Disscussion - 8:00 pm

Thursday, Nov 15
Workshop with Mestres: Mestre Rogério e Mestre Índio
From 9:00 an - 12:00 noon & 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cost: R$35,00 – this price includes both workshops and a t-shirt

Roda de Capoeira – 7:00 pm

Friday, Nov 16
Birthday party for ACAD - 15 years
Location: Casa África : Rua Leopoldina, 48 – Sto Antonio (almost at the corner with Av. do Contorno)- R$6,00 www.casaafrica.com.br

For more information, contact:
Contra- Mestre Alcione: (31) 3212-9244 e (31) 9735-9627
Treinel Iran: (31) 9772-5704
jspecker(at)gmx(dot)de
& carolinecesari(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)br

Thanks to Lars for passing this along.

11/7/07

Music in the Martial Arts

MattL submitted this piece about music in martial arts:
The marriage of martial movements and music is often associated with disciplines of African descent, such as those found in Brazil, the Caribbean, and elsewhere, but how about the other parts of the world? Are they bereft of soul? Do they miss that beautiful essence at the heart of Capoeira and its relatives in the cultural soup of the African diaspora???

The short answer is no.

Music is found in other martial arts and often in very interesting ways different from what we see in Capoeira. Music is also at the heart of Indonesian Penchak Silat as well as Korean Taekkyun. Taekkyun was developed in Korea approximately in 25 BC. Though it fell out of favor approximately 600 years ago (for Tae Kwon Do), it's making a comeback in recent years. What's interesting to note is that it was originally practiced among the royalty and upper classes (yangban). It wasn't really practiced among the commoners.

Maybe that's the key to Capoeira's success - its link the continual struggle against oppression...

I have also read that capoeira was the only martial art that was not developed to protect an artistocracy/ ruling class. Can anyone confirm or negate this? It is a pretty powerful reflection on capoeira if it is true.

Here’s a little more on Taekkyun, from this website:
Unlike Taekwondo, which was developed last century, during the Japanese occupation, Taekkyun has been around on the peninsula for hundreds and hundreds of years. In fact Taekkyun was seen as being so essential to Korean character that during the Japanese occupation the practice of Taekkyun was banned (as was the speaking of Korean in school!). Taekkyun appears in folk paintings which are nearly a thousand years old. The first photographers to arrive in the Hermit Kingdom took photos of long haired boys, wearing the same white peasant clothes still worn by Taekkyun folks today. Taekkyun almost died out, because by the time the Japanese occupation was over, it was the warm up for the Korean war, and after that, reconstruction. No one had time in Korea for many years for pursuing dying cultural practices. Fortunately in the 80s two old men were discovered, still practicing Taekkyun (which is so gentle on joints and good for you that old people find it possible to continue long after they may have had to quit other physical pastimes).

Very interesting.

11/6/07

Mestre Rene in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Grupo T.A.B.C.A.T. (Tribu Afro Baiana Capoeira Angola Tradicional) will host Mestre Rene for a weekend workshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here are the details:
Brazilian Capoeira Angola: The Peaceful African Martial Art
T.A.B.C.A.T. Capoeira encounter in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Friday Nov. 30
Lecture & Discussion: 510 years of Resistance for Afro-Brazilians

Saturday, Dec 1
Capoeira Angola class with Mestre Renê (Bahia, Brazil)
Folkloric dances of Afro-Brazil with Cintia Paula Lopez (Brazil)

Sunday, Dec 2
Capoeira Angola class with Mestre Renê
Capoeira roda led by Mestre Caboquinho

For more information, email: tabcatcolumbus(at)gmail(dot)com

Have fun & stay warm.

11/5/07

Angoleiros in the News: Lula Marcondes

International artist and Angoleiro, Lula Marcondes will have his artwork displayed at La Pena Gallery from Friday November 9th to Sunday December 23rd. Lula grew up in Olinda, Pernambuco, training Capoeira Angola and creating masterpieces. You'll see many of his designs on capoeira t-shirts and flyers. Today, he lives in Austin and trains there.

There will be an opening party next Friday, November 9th from 6 to 8pm at the Gallery (22 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas).

To see more of Lula's projects, check out his website.

Congratulations, Lula!

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