UA Capoeira
University At Albany Capoeira Club
Grupo Capoeira Brasil

Club Meetings

when: Tues & Thurs night 8-9:30pm
where: Dance Studio - 3^rd Floor PE bulding.
We are part of the Grupo Capoeira Brasil Albany, NY

please go to http://www.albanycapoeira.com for more information about our group and instructor.

Find us on MYSPACE

Contact us at AlbanyCapoeira@yahoo.com

Events:

We now have Student Association funding, instead of $10 per class, like last semester, it is $5 per class for club members.
Club Dues/Prices
Club Members: $5 per class
Non Members: $8 per class
Y ou can join the club for one or two days a week, $70 or $140 respectively, for the semester. Club dues are used to pay our instructor, and pay for the facilites. Club dues also include nonclass rodas and other club related events. Club dues are due by Feburary 17^th. Membership is open to all University at Albany students.
Non-university-students please contact Albanycapoeira@yahoo.com for information about classes and cost.

Semester Class//Workout Schedule
This is the schedule of ON CAMPUS classes, Tues/Thurs 8-9:30 @ Dance Studio in the PE Budiling, along with other events club members are expected to attend. There is also a class every Saturday at Delmar Aikido at 1 o'clock.

Dance Studio address/directions:
Univeristy at Albany Dance Studio
3rd Floor Physical Education Building
1400 Washington ave
Albany, NY 12222
map: http://www.albany.edu/maps/uptownmap.html
Park in the RACC Lot

Jan
Tues 31

Feb
Thurs 2
Tues 7
Thurs 9
Tues 14 (afternoon performance/class in Troy + regular night class)
Thurs16
[21+ 23 Winter Break No Class)
Tues 28

March
Thurs 2
Friday 3rd Roda at Delmar Aikido 6:45pm
Saturday 4th Class at UA 2pm
Saturday 4th CARNAVAL Party 11pm at Ristorante Paradiso on Central Ave. its $5 to get in, Grad Student Association members get in free with membership ID card. They are encouraging people to dress up but it's not required. Bring your uniform too. Professor Abara and George might becoming from NYC for the party!!
Tues 7
Thurs 9
Fri 10th Glenna's Bday Dance Party
Tues 14
Thurs16
Tues 21
Thurs23
Tues 28 Roda at Bethlehem Central High School Diversity night ( Map w/ Directions ) Main enterance is right off of Delaware. It might be full, so park where ever you can get parking (legally). The main enterance is the one you guys should use to enter, and the auditorium is on the right side. Just go in, and Ferruge or Cogumela will find you and take you to where you can stretch. We go on stage at 8, so arrive no later than 7:30 so that you can stretch, and Aranha can cover any details he sees fit. Everyone with a uniform should be there ready to go on stage.

Thurs30

April
Tues 4
Thurs 6
Sat 8 - Workshop w/ Mestre TBA
Sun 9 - C.Mestre Caxias Batizado
[11+ 13 Spring Break No Class]
Tues 18
Thurs 20
Tues 25
Thurs 27

May
Tues 2
Thurs 4
Friday 5th 4pm Free lesson and Roda on State Quad
Tues 9
Thurs 11 Mestre Nego Gato workshop 8pm. Included in Dues.
Tues 16 [Finals stress release Roda]
Thurs 18 [Finals end, celebration Roda]

Heres some info about Capoeira.

What Is Capoeira?

Description

Capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-eh-da) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, music, percussion, song, ritual, self-defense technique, and acrobatics. It is an athletic stream of consciousness. In part it is a dance; a rhythmic dialogue with a partner set to the music of traditional instruments. In part it is a fight; a strategic match of throwing and dodging kicks, sweeps, and defensive movements.

Brief History

Capoeira developed as a result of over three hundred years of slavery in Brazil. Generations of enslaved Africans-taken by the Portuguese colonists from various cultures in Africa-shared the cultural customs, dances, rituals, and fighting techniques that would combine to become Capoeira. Capoeira was born in Brazil as an expression of resistance, as well as a method of spiritual and emotional empowerment. Through music and song, slaves were able to conceal the combative purpose of Capoeira, while simultaneously illustrating the strength and beauty of cultural sharing. Built on a foundation of resistance and resilience, Capoeira is the quintessential reflection of the cultural and social integration of the diverse peoples comprising modern-day Brazil. The cultures of enslaved Africans, Brazilian indigenous peoples, and Portuguese immigrants all contributed to the art of Capoeira. It is a reflection of Brazilian culture-characterized by spirited cultural diversity.

Capoeira Today

True to its historical roots, Capoeira today is a means of empowerment for its practitioners and a forum for social and cultural exchange. Capoeira helps people to approach conflict, fear, and uncertainty with greater confidence, determination, and humor. Ultimately, Capoeira is a celebration of the joys of movement, music, physical expression, and strategy. Today's students, like the earliest practitioners of Capoeira, learn to translate struggles into celebrations, to believe in their abilities, and to understand the richness of sharing with others.

Capoeira has gained respect as a martial art form throughout the world. Increasingly visible in popular culture and mainstream media, Capoeira has attracted millions of individuals from every part of the globe.

The Capoeira "Roda"

A "roda" (pronounced "ho-da") refers to the circle that Capoeira players form, and inside of which the game is played. Those forming the roda are as important to the game as the two players inside—adding to the energy and rhythm of the game by clapping their hands, singing choruses of Capoeira songs, and playing instruments. The two players inside receive energy and support from the roda. As a metaphor for the circle of life, the Capoeira roda illustrates that all individuals are important in the creation of the whole, and that cooperation is essential to the process.

Capoeira Group/Organization

Group Capoeira Brasil (in Brazil) was founded by Mestres (masters) Boneco, Paulinho Sabiar and Paulao on the 14th of January 1989. All three men had studied Capoeira for many years before they banded together to start a modern and organized school of Capoeira.

Within the world of Capoeira there are many different groups that adhere to various philosophies and styles of training. Before the foundation of Group Capoeira Brasil, Capoeira existed mainly in smaller groups that didn't have the infrastructure to grow beyond a limited number of students.

One of Group Capoeira Brasil's first goals was to take Capoeira to new level of popularity and eventually out into the world. Group Capoeira Brasil is currently one of Brasil's largest and best recognized Capoeira groups.

The group now has a branch in most states of Brasil and also in: Rio de Janeiro/Los Angeles (Mestre Boneco) North America (Mestre Jelon Viera), Holland(Mestre Paulao), Niterói/Paris (Paulinho Sabiar) and Australia (Mestre Peixe). In addition the group's newest black cord belts: Mestres Cabeça, Rato, Naval, Indio, Girino, Cibriba, Kim, Espiga and Curumim.

Group Capoeira Brasil is constantly updating its movements and songs to keep abreast of this evolving art form. All of the changes that take place are carefully considered before being introduced; it is only when they will enhance the game that the Mestres will embrace the change.

The group now has a style, which is a unique blend of the traditional moves and philosophies with some new elements mixed in. This group strongly respects the foundation and traditions that have built Capoeira and continues to use them in all their teachings.

Within the Capoeira community in Brasil, there are a number of other groups who share a similar style of play. These groups will often invite each other to attend Rodas (games) and Batizados (grading events) to keep in touch with new developments.

Short History
Capoeira originated out of the North East of Brazil about 400 years ago. From the early sixteenth century until the late nineteenth century, Portuguese slave traders raided villages along the West Coast of Africa. Approximately three million Africans were enslaved and brought to Brazil to work on plantations. All of these slaves were forced form their homes and brought to a new land that was harsh and completely different from their homeland. Because the slaves were unable to defend themselves against their new slave masters, and unable to unify their diverse cultural groups, they were unable to find a way to rebel against their captivity. Capoeira was created as a new form of self defense which, in the end, helped unify the different cultures within the slave groups and ultimately led to their freedom. Capoeira has influences from Africa, Portugal, and people from the New World. The training of this martial art was disguised as a ritualistic dance where the participants threw head butts, spin kicks and other attacks, coming within very close contact to one another. One participant would attack, while the other would counter with acrobatic retreats. The positions of offense and defense are thrown back and forth as each of the participants changes from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. A Capoeira participant is known as a capoeirista. On lookers surrounded the players. The by-standers would clap hands and sing songs to the beat of drums and the berimbua. The lyrics often spoke of happier times and freedom. The ritualistic arena with which the game of Capoeira was played in gave the illusion that it was no more than a religious ritual from the homeland of the slaves. This allowed Capoeira to be practiced even in front of the slave masters. There have even been stories of how slave masters would join in the clapping and applaud the participants at the end of the game.

As Capoeira became more common among the slaves, the unity among them grew as well. Rebellion became more common capoeira was then outlawed. Capoeiristas were forced to move the training underground. In 1890, the "Republic Government destroyed most of the records of the slave trade and signed a resolution to erase all records of slavery in Brazil. There was also a penal code introduced in Brazil that prohibited anyone from practicing Capoeira. Though the penalty for practicing Capoeira was two to six months in prison, Capoeira was still trained underground until the early 20th century. It was recognized in the 1930's as a legitimate sport and a part of Brazil's cultural history. Now it is taught in open schools and academies around the world.

The History of Capoeira

As in the USA, there was also slavery in Brazil. The slaves were put to work in the plantations where sugar and tobacco were the main crops and the demand for slave labor was great. During the history of the slave trade, it is estimated that more than two million slaves were brought to Brazil from Africa.

These slaves came from different regions of Africa and thus had different cultures. They were distributed in three main ports: Bahia, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro.

In Rio and Recife, the slaves were from different ethnic groups and sometimes from enemy tribes as well, which made it difficult for these slaves to organize a revolt. More slaves in Rio were from Bantu peoples, while in other areas, such as Bahia, slaves came primarily from West Africa.

As the slaves became aware that their condition was irreversible, that they were intended to be an involuntary work force forever, they began to run away.

In Recife, a group of 40 slaves rebelled against their master, killed all the white employees, and burned the plantation house. They then set themselves free and decided to find a place where they could be hidden from the slave hunters. They headed to the mountains, a trip that took many months to complete. Had it not been for the help they received from the Indians, this journey would have been practically impossible to accomplish. Eventually they reached what they thought was a safe place, which because of its abundance of palm trees they named Palmares. In this place an African community was born; a community which lasted nearly a century. In this community the first forms of Capoeira were developed.

While no one would deny the tremendous African influence on Capoeira, nothing is really known about a form of Capoeira originating in Africa. All that is written on this subject is based on speculation. The earliest known historical record of Capoeira as a martial art is approximately 1770, long after early years of slavery. No further accounts of Capoeira are found until the early 1800's in the form of various police records from Rio de Janeiro.

PALMARES

Over the course of years, scattered settlements were established in the mountains. The largest of these was Palmares with more than 20,000 inhabitants, including some Indians and whites.

Here tribes that were strangers or enemies in Africa united to fight for a common goal.

A new community was formed with a very rich cultural mixture. In this new environment they shared and learned from each other their dance, rituals, religion, and games. One result of this rich cultural fusion was Capoeira in its earliest form.

Palmares was growing rapidly as more refugees arrived in this little African nation. It started to worry the Portuguese colonizers. People from Palmares would come down from the mountains to trade produce, fruit, and animal skins and would often raid plantations to free more slaves.

Palmares began to effect the life of the plantations as more and more of the slaves escaped. The colonists suffered economically because of the diminishing labor force.

To make things worse for the Portuguese, Holland invaded Brazil in 1630. The slaves took advantage of this situation and with assistance from Palmares left the plantations and fought the Portuguese Army. The army at this point was fighting two enemies.

The Dutch won the war, but the Africans never stopped fighting. In 1644 the Dutch organized an expedition to go to Palmares, but nothing was accomplished. In the following years a second expedition was sent to the mountains which also failed.

It is important to point out that these expeditions were formed by very experienced and well-armed soldiers. But the Africans developed a system of fighting called "jungle war" or ambush. Capoeira was the key element in the unexpected attacks. With fast and tricky movements the slaves caused considerable damage to the white men. Capoeira became their weapon, their symbol of freedom.

When an expedition was successful, the slaves who were returned to the plantations taught Capoeira to others there. Sunday was their one day of rest and that was when they practiced Capoeira. But there, in the quarters, the practice soon was altered. Music, singing, dance and ritual were added to Capoeira, disguising the fact that the slaves were practicing a deadly martial art.

In twenty-five years the colonies suffered eleven rebellions that culminated with the abolition of slavery on May 13, 1888.

After the abolition, some ex-slaves returned to Africa, but the majority stayed in Brazil. The planters being no longer interested in them as a work force, most headed to the cities to form slums and shanty towns. There was no employment in the cities either, and many organized into criminal gangs. Others, more fortunate because of their knowledge of capoeira, were hired by politicians as bodyguards. All were seen by the government as a "plague."

The main activities of these "capoeiristas" (anyone who practices the art) was to disrupt the political life of the country. In the 1890's some very influential people in high levels of society, were practitioners of capoeira. This was a threat to the government, and the president created a special police force to control the situation. When this effort was ineffective, a rigid penal code was initiated. In Chapter B of this code, ten articles were specifically related to the actions, practices, and crimes related to capoeira. A tougher law was later added stating that any person who was a known capoeirista would be expatriated. To enforce these laws, the president hired a man named Sampaio, who was reputed to be the most ruthless police chief in Brazil's history. He was determined to extinguish capoeira. What is interesting about Sampaio was that he was an excellent capoeirista, and was a terror to the gangs.

Sampaio's special police force learned capoeira, so they were able to challenge their "enemy" on their own ground. Had it not been for the strong resistance by the capoeiristas, as well as support by influential people, he may have succeeded in his mission.

One incident brought to an end Sampaio's relentless pursuit of the capoeiristas. He arrested a man named Juca, a member of the gentry, for practicing capoeira and demanded that he be expatriated. This caused a crisis for the government for the members of the president's cabinet opposed this action because Juca's father was well-known and favored by many politicians.

The president called a special meeting of his cabinet, and after eighteen days, two important members of the cabinet resigned and Juca was expatriated. After this event, change was expected in the behavior of the capoeiristas. But the change was in their favor. The opposition to the government created a black militia to disrupt the president. This militia was formed exclusively of capoeiristas and they spread fear in the capital. The police were ineffective against them and just as the situation was becoming desperate, Brazil went to war with Paraguay. The black militia was sent to the front and suddenly the outlaws became national heroes. And capoeira entered another phase in its history.

MODERN TIMES

The law that prohibited the practice of capoeira was still effect until 1920, and its practice disguised as a "folk dance." In their hidden places, capoeiristas did their best to keep the tradition alive, and by presenting it as a folk art, they made the practice of capoeira more acceptable to the society.

In those years it was very common for a capoeirista to have two or three nicknames. The police knew all the capoeiristas by these names and not by their real identity, so it made it much more difficult to arrest them. (This tradition is continued today. When a person is "baptized" into the practice of capoeira, they are given a nickname.)

In 1937, Mestre Bimba, one of the most important masters of capoeira, received an invitation from the president to demonstrate his art in the capital. After a successful performance he went back to his home state and with the government's permission, opened the first capoeira school in Brazil. It was the first step towards a more open development, and years later the senate passed a bill establishing capoeira as a national sport.

Today capoeira is all over the world. In Brazil, as part of the culture, there is capoeira everywhere - in elementary schools, universities, clubs, and in military academies.