Capoeira is a lifestyle for those who are really dedicated to the activity, such as NEIU’s Lupe Gutierrez. He described capoeira as a source of a different perspective on life.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15 p.m., Gutierrez and other capoeiristas invite NEIU students to join their group and experience that kind of art firsthand in P.E. Complex.
Explaining capoeira is difficult, but Mestre Jelon Viera, who brought the activity to the United States about 30 years ago, described it as “a dance which is a fight and a fight which is a dance,” according to http://independent-bangledesh.com. Others call capoeira art, dance, a martial art or a combination of all of these.
Participants of capoeira are supposed to develop both fitness and willpower, as capoeira is lots of fun, but it is also very demanding. Time and the willingness to train are necessary in order to achieve a satisfactory level.
Gutierrez is very patient. He takes care of individuals and gives valuable hints, following Mestre Pastinha, often considered the father of capoeira who believed that it is for everyone to enjoy.
Capoeira’s capital is Brazil, where people from western Africa were sold into slavery in the 18th and 19th centuries. They used capoeira, often in secret, to express a common unity, spirit and culture. According to Augusto Ferreira “capoeira was born out of burning desire for freedom,” as quoted on www.candeiasireland.com.
After the abolition of slavery, many slaves were not able to find employment and jointed illegal groups. Capoeira had a bad reputation and became outlawed in Brazil in 1892 but was kept alive by its underground movement.
Capoeira has two main styles: regional and Angola. The first, presented by Mestre Bimba, is fast, dynamic and more aggressive. The second, developed by Mestre Pastinha, is geared toward cooperation and dance and is referred to as a game.
Capoeiristas form a circle, or roda, within which two players wage a simulated fight, or jogo. The most important is not fitness but malicia, the ability to observe and find the weak points of an opponent.
Capoeira has already spread to many parts of the world because it builds self-esteem and self-discipline. The combination of dance, defensive and athletic movements make it an attractive form of exercise and expression.