The history of Capoeira Angola started in the 16th century, at a time when Brazil was a colony of Portugal and the African slave labour force was largely utilised in Brazil, especially in the agricultural production of sugar in the North-East. Many of these slaves came from the region of Angola, also a Portuguese colony. In Africa, the Angolans had many dances (eg: the N'golo, the Bassula, the Cabangula and the Umudinhu) which mixed with each other in Brazil, this became the origin of Capoeira (the game of Angola), which transferred to urban zones and became Capoeira Angola, a martial art disguised as a dance. It was an important instrument of cultural and physical resistance for the Brazilian slaves.
The movements of Capoeira Angola are commanded by the music and singing. It is a submission of force to rhythm, of violence to melody, a marriage of antagonisms. In Capoeira, the contenders are not adversaries, they are 'camaradas' or comrades; they don't fight, they pretend to fight. They expertly seek to convey an artistic portrayal of the combat; and more important than their spirit of competition is their surrender to the spirit of beauty within them. A capoeirista is an artist and an athlete, a player and a poet. :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment