Capoeira Angola

Pronounced capo-air-a:  Is a danced fight, a playful sparring involving style, wit, flexibility and strategy.  Respect for tradition, and, above all, for the wisdom and profound knowledge of the masters of Capoeira, are the mark of the angoleiro  (one who practices the art-form Capoeira Angola.)

The basic technique through which the Angoleiro (Capoeira Angola Player) develops the game is the ginga, a shifty side-to-side movement.  At the heart of the art is the music lead by the berimbau, a steel stringed bow instrument with a gourd resonator.  When Capoeira Angola is practiced or played in the roda the music signals the beginning and end of the each game, and governs the style and speed of the play.

Capoeira Angola is infinitely varied, with an unlimited combination of movement of the legs, arms, torso, and head:  feet to the sky, a leg whipping around, a smile, a grin, and a gleam in the eye.  Humorous and serious, the fun and the struggle are joined in a continuum of movement and flourished pauses.

History:  The Bantu origins of Capoeira were relatively peacefully practiced in Southwest Africa, this dance fight which some called “N’Golo” (zebra dance) was a initiation training for manhood / womanhood.

The name “Capoeira” in indigenous to Brazil and in the Tupi-Guarni Indians language means a clearing of land burnt for agriculture.  During the     time of slavery in Brazil, Capoeira Angola was a powerful weapons used during revolts, and in the defense of the Quilombos (communities of     escaped slaves organized according to African cultural norms).

 

Comunidade de Capoeira Angola

was formed February 2005 under the collective effort of dedicated members. Some of which were former students of Grupo De N’Golo, which was under the leadership of Mr. Jaime Brown, a practitioner Capoeira Angola for over 20 years.  In Atlanta, we practice this illustrious, indigenous traditional form which was preserved by The Great Master (Mestre) Pastinha (1889-1982).  It was kept alive by The Great Mestre Joao Pequeno in Salvador, Bahia & Great Mestre Joao Grande who still teaches in New York at 73 years young.  From 1999 - 2001, Atlanta was blessed to be guided by Mestre Moraes who has been an Angola master for 30 yrs.  The long term goal of Comunidade de Capoeira Angola Atlanta is to spread and preserve this beautiful art form.  

We are committed to:

• Continue the work of Mestre Pastinha
• Preserving  Capoeira Angola and all aspects of African culture.
• Researching and gathering documentations relating to the history and value of Capoeira Angola.
• Preserving all aspects of Capoeria Angola through music, movement, and philosophy.
• Helping men, women and children in the community grow mentally, physically and emotionally through the practice of this traditional African art form.
• Maintaining the relationship of Capoeira Angola with other activities and movements in African culture.  Facilitating a greater historical consciousness through cultural exchange with institutions and groups concerned with the preservation of African culture in USA, Brazil, and all over the world.