Source: Revista de Historia
Translation into English by Shayna McHugh 

Why does capoeira attract more and more people throughout the world? The History Magazine of the National Library opens a discussion on this mystery.

We have yet to see a country where capoeira does not have success. It is practiced throughout Europe and the U.S. as well as in countries such as Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, and Japan. This rhythmic martial art, so typically Brazilian, seems capable of overcoming any cultural barrier as it wins more and more passionate practitioners. How can this global phenomenon be explained?

The History Magazine of the National Library invites capoeiristas to participate in this discussion. Why is capoeira so fascinating?

Benjamin Lestage, capoeirista, France

When I trained for the first time, what caught my eye the most were the movements of the other capoeiristas. Aú, bananeira, rabo de arraia, meia-lua and so many others that were like nothing I had seen before. I couldn’t define this mixture: song, rhythm, black/white, men/women, movements, defense, attack, malandragem, culture, theater… in summary, a combination of things.The capoeira roda is captivating, thanks to the musicians and players seated in a circle, the instruments, and everyone singing so loud. The energy that arises from this is strong. That surprises and attracts many people in France and in the whole world.

There are also many exotic stereotypes about capoeira that attract people to the art, like the image of a barefoot mulatto doing backflips on the beach in the shade of a palm tree. For some French people, the idea of having a beautiful body – one that is worthy of the Brazilian beaches – is another incentive for practicing capoeira.

I believe that capoeira is a portal for entry into Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian culture. This art captivates us because it gives us the opportunity to learn another culture, which is similar to the French culture in some ways – its richness, its history of struggle and resistance – a culture that cannot be forgotten by future generations.

Márcio Lopes – Graduado Beleza (from Angola)

I am from Angola, and I give classes in South Africa. I began playing capoeira by imitating the movements that my cousin learned in classes with a Brazilian group. I think that capoeira attracts people through its acrobatic movements, its songs, its ritual, and its culture. In addition to these aspects, this sport is an interesting workout, different from the monotony of running or exercising in a gym.

Cláudio Nascimento, Mestre Chaminé, Brazil

I have played capoeira for over 40 years and I have been teaching it for 17. I’ve taught in countries like Holland, France, Switzerland, Scotland, and England.

Capoeira attracts foreign students through the beauty of its movements, through the music, the singing, the instruments, through its fighting aspect and also its theatrical aspect. Foreigners don’t have the “Brazilian swing,” but they are extremely dedicated and disciplined. Outside of Brazil, capoeira schools represent something exotic, something different.

In an individualistic society like ours, capoeira offers socialization and community, and I think that this is also very attractive: more than winning or losing, the important thing is to interact, to learn new movements and develop oneself.It is a shame that, in contrast to the great reception that capoeira gets in other countries, the art still suffers a lack of recognition here in Brazil.

Pedro Daddario – Galho – Brazilian living in the U.S.

I began practicing capoeira in the U.S., and before that I had no contact with dance. Everything that I know about the art, I learned here. The way in which Americans see capoeira is directly linked to the way that the art is presented. The great majority of Americans are attracted by the “propaganda version” of capoeira, by the promise of the exotic. Americans are thirsty for culture, because they feel as though they have lost their roots, so they aim to fill this void by learning about other cultures.

There are many factors that make it easy to begin capoeira: the informality, the easy access and the free form of movements. Capoeira requires minimal physical conditions, the basic movements are easy to learn, and the traditional songs and rhythms are simple.

Capoeira also focuses on beginners. For example: if a stranger asks to join a soccer game, the chances of someone passing him the ball to score a goal – or rather, to miss scoring a goal – are zero! But in capoeira, beginners are encouraged to sing, to play, and to play instruments, even if they ruin the whole roda.

People like seeing others’ efforts. In summary, capoeira is something of rare sincerity; everything good and everything bad is manifest in a subtle way in the game. And in the same way, when the roda is good, the joy of the capoeirista, the pleasure of the singer, is clearly visible on their face.

Ryuta (Lyuta) Suda, Capoeira Teacher in Japan

I think one of the characteristics of the Japanese people is a fear of taking a risk by trying new and different things. This fear comes from a fear of messing up. There is always a tendency to keep doing whatever is habitual, whatever is traditional, and this makes people very similar to each other. It is the same thing in sports. In soccer, for example, the Japanese players do not risk shooting towards the goal often, because they are afraid of not scoring.

For the Japanese, capoeira represents the possibility of freedom, of being different and being allowed to make a mistake. In karate, for example, the rules are very rigorous – everyone has to do things in exactly the right way, the blows must be precise, you cannot dodge, you most always attack. This does not happen with capoeira, because the art since its beginnings has liberated the mind from the horrors of slavery. Today, despite being in a different social reality, this dance helps us to feel freer.

I’ve played capoeira for over 11 years, and as a teacher I notice that kids who practice capoeira are different, because they feel free inside the roda. They don’t need to be the same as all the other kids. Each one can be who he or she really is, and they apply this concept in life.

Sérgio Augusto do Sacramento, Mestre Garrincha, Brazil 

I’ve played capoeira since I was a child, and today my work is in various cities of Europe. I notice one thing that fascinates many Europeans is the idea that we live in a cultural, racial, and social democracy. Capoeira thus represents a cultural activity with African roots, encouraging integration.

In general, Europeans are very distant. There is not much direct contact among people. In capoeira, there is a greater physical closeness, and this is very captivating. The magic of capoeira rodas – which mix dance, fight, acrobatics, play, and even songs and instruments – is truly enchanting.

In addition, capoeira is attractive as a form of exercise, which (when conducted well) does good for the body and for the mind. It is more than a form of therapy. Finally, through capoeira foreigners can discover Brazil, learn our language and our culture.