Mandingueira » Series

Capoeira and Change on Blue Snake Books Blog

Joaninha — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:10:47 +0000

Remember when I wanted to know, ”Can Capoeira Change the World?“ Well, now that I’ve asked the question, I’m setting out to find the answer! This is to announce a new “series” I’m doing (the term will be used more loosely for this one than for my other series) , all about capoeira and change. Whether it’s discussing the rise of capoeira angola and its role in the Black Movement, or spotlighting a specific grupo’s philanthropic project in Brazil, I’m going to cover it. And the best part? It won’t be on this blog!

Instead, the series will be on Blue Snake Books Blog, where I was asked about a month ago to do some writing for them. Blue Snake Books is the leading martial arts book publisher in North America, including of all the (English) capoeira books we know and love so well, so I am very excited to be doing this!

The series will run roughly every 1-2 weeks or so and starts today, with a post discussing Capoeira as a Force of Change. Be sure to check it out, and don’t forget to keep a further eye out for me there!

Update: Get a special project or person featured in this series, and win a Mandingueira notebook! Click here for details.

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Capoeira and Change: Archives

Capoeira as a Force of Change
Capoeira é Magia: ACSF and Why Capoeira Changes Us
GCAP and Capoeira Identity Politics
Growing Crystals: FICA Capoeira Women’s Conference and Initiating Real Change

(Background/From Mandingueira:)
Can Capoeira Change the World?
Can Capoeira Change the World? Part 2

Capoeira é Dança: New Series!

Joaninha — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:30:03 +0000

You hear the distant pounding of an atabaque, and your heart begins to beat in time. You approach further, and the strains of a single berimbau call to you. Finally, your ears pick up the frolicking jingle of an accompanying pandeiro. You squeeze past the crowds, excitement rising—but wait! What’s this? That’s no ginga! Where are all the acrobatics? And—did she just spin?

Yep. You, my friend, have just stumbled upon a fine showing of samba de roda, one of the many Brazilian or Afro-Brazilian dances associated with doing capoeira. Be prepared to stumble upon many more, as we go through afro, xaxado, coco de roda, and maracatu, just to name a few!

Where did they come from? What do they mean? How are they done? Who were the first to dance this dance, and why?

Welcome to Mandingueira‘s newest post series: Capoeira é Dança! You know all about capoeira’s background; now learn about the other half of the show. Look out for the first instalment coming soon, starting with my personal favourite:

“Pula menino, que eu sou Maculelê!”

Picture source: http://www.hotellagoaemar.com.br/foto.balefolc1.jpg

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Capoeira é Dança: Archives

Part 1: Maculelê
Part 2: Puxada de Rede
Part 3: Forró
Part 4: Xaxado

Videos:

Maculelê
Puxada de Rede
Forró
Xaxado

Ie Viva Meu Mestra, Camara

Joaninha — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:27:42 +0000

Remember that pop quiz in this blog’s introduction post? Never be caught unwares again, after we’re through with Ie viva meu Mestra, Mandingueira‘s very first post series! Focusing on the lives and accomplishments of female mestres, or mestras, around the world, this series seeks to redress the balance of prominent figures offered to capoeira students as hero(in)es to revere or look up to. From Mestra Suelly, the first and possibly only (please correct me if I’m wrong) North American mestra, to Mestra Edna Lima, the first mestra ever, these women should have wider recognition for what they have done, as inspirations to women and meninas everywhere who do capoeira today. Please come back soon to read our first profile and biography, on Mestra Edna Lima!

Update: Just so there’s no confusion, mestranda and contra-mestra are terms used for the same rank in different grupos, indicating the level right below mestra.

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Ie Viva Meu Mestra: Archives

Why Write about Female Mestres? The Feminist Catch-22

Part 1: Mestra Edna Lima
Part 2: Mestra Suelly
Part 3: Mestranda Marcia/Cigarra
Part 4: Contra-Mestra Marisa Cordeiro
Part 5: Mestra Janja
Part 6: Mestra Paulinha
Part 7: Contra-Mestra Susy
Part 8: Mestra Jararaca
Part 9: Contra-Mestra Cristina

Videos:

Mestra Edna Lima, Mestra Suelly, and Mestranda Marcia
Mestra Marcia/Cigarra
Mestra Janja and Grupo Nzinga
Mestra Paulinha
Contra-Mestra Susy (Grupo Vadiacão, Capoeira Angola)
Mestra Jararaca