Art of Capoeira

African slaves in Brazil perfected Capoeira (Pronounced 'kah-poe-air-ah') 400 hundred years ago as a way to resist the oppression of the Portuguese. Music and dancing were incorporated to provide concealment, allowing the slaves to play unhindered. Capoeira has played an important part in shaping the culture of Brazil.

Modern day Capoeira is an up-tempo, fast-paced, fluid game known as Contemporânea, (A Portuguese term meaning "Contemporary"), which is what we play here at Capoeira Malês. Our contemporary roots trace back to a rough and tumble version of capoeira called Old School, also known as "Regional" (Pronounced 'heh-shon-al'). Capoeira Regional was practiced for many years in the neighborhoods of Brazil's towns and cities.

Today, Capoeira is practiced on every continent and continues to gain recognition as a means of liberation from the barriers people impose on themselves. Capoeira combines the raw excitement of music, dancing, fighting, and gravity defying acrobatics. The term given to people who practice the art of Capoeira is 'Capoeirista'.

The game of Caporeira is played inside a Roda (meaning 'circle', pronounced "hoe-da") comprised of of several capoeiristas. Some rodas can be very large, consisting of up to 40 or 50 participants. The tempo in the roda is set using a unique musical combination of drums, tambourines, singing, and most importantly, a one-stringed instrument called a berimbau.

Capoeira, does not focus on inflicting attacks upon an opponent, but rather it is a "conversation" between two individuals. Each move is responded to by a defensive move, an offensive move, or most often, a combination of both. This is what gives Capoeira its dance-like quality.

Similar to the way a sensei leads a dojo, a mestre leads a school of Capoeira. Mestres practice for many years, perfecting their art through learning and teaching. There are several levels in Capoeira, beginning with professors, then moving to contra mestres, before finally reaching the level of mestre.

Every year "Batizados" are held, where Capoeiristas from all around converge on a three day celebration. Literally meaning "baptism", Batizados serve the purpose of bringing the Capoeira community together for fellowship, learning and recognition. New Capoeiristas earn their cordas (belt), and a Capoeira nickname if they haven't already earned one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How was CapoeiraDC formed?

Gaviao, Morcego, Borboleta, and Sorriso formed CapoeiraDC in 2000 with a group of dedicated capoeiristas practicing after hours in Morcego's restaurant.  Eventually, the group expanded and moved to a garage on 14^th Street and U Street, then to a historic firehouse on M Street, and finally to our present location in the old hardware store on Florida Avenue.  With each expansion, CapoeiraDC has emerged as a more dynamic organization. 

CapoeiraDC is essentially a cooperative.  Our members volunteer our time to teach classes, organize community events, and renovate and maintain the studio from the ground up.  Working together, we stay true to the spirit of capoeira:  comradery, community-building, and always good axé.

Over a decade after our inception, we have expanded our organization to offer seven adult capoeira classes, two kids capoeira classes and a samba/Afro-Brazilian dance class to over one hundred students.  We are committed to making Afro-Brazilian arts accessible to the community by offering free capoeira and samba workshops several times a year and teaching free capoeira classes at schools in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast Washington, DC and at our academy. 

I don’t have a gymnastics or dance background.  Can I try Capoeira?

Come try out a class – new students are always welcome!  You don’t need an athletic background to train capoeira.  We will teach you everything you need to know. 

What do I need to know for my first class?

New students are strongly encouraged to attend the Intro to Capoeira class on Wednesdays and Saturdaysto gain a basic understanding of the art.  Please arrive to class early in order to register, pay for class, and stretch.  For your first class, wear a loose-fitting comfortable t-shirt and jogging pants.  Shorts are prohibited.  Shoes are optional, although many people find it easier to play capoeira barefoot.  Be sure to bring bottled water.  Come to class with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and participate!

What is a Capoeira Malês class like?

All classes begin with a brief warm up and a workout that includes line movements and partner work to develop your technique.  Beginner classes focus on the proper technique of the ginga (the fundamental movement of capoeira), circular kicks, esquivas (escapes), and basic acrobatic movements.  All All-level and Intermediate classes frequently incorporate a roda (circle) where students can practice the skills they learned in class in an improvised jogo (game), play traditional instruments, and sing in Portuguese.

Why is the group named Capoeira Malês?  http://www.curisco.com/malerebillion.htm

Malê is a word derived from the "iorubá," the language of the enslaved Africans of the Hausa or Hauçá - and Nagô ethnics.  Originally, "imalê" was used to designate slaves that spoke and wrote Arabic.  The two-day Malê insurrection began on January 25, 1835 in Salvador de Bahia in Brazil to liberate all enslaved Africans.

During the first decades of the 19^th century, the situation of the Africans in Brazil was dire, especially in Bahia state, where the largest concentration of Africans resided.  Because many were slaves or worked in slave conditions there was no possibility of social ascension.  Between 1807 and 1830, more than 20 rebellions against the dominant white caste occurred in Bahia state.  By this time, almost half of Salvador city was comprised of enslaved Africans of many different ethnic groups, including Hausas and Nagôs, which were the two groups with the most prominent role in the Malês insurrection.  Because many of the slaves were "free," meaning that they held paid jobs, they had the ability to circulate around the city to develop a plan and purchase weapons 

In January 1835, a group of between 700 and 1,500 Africans developed a plan to free certain arrested slaves who were important leaders in their communities.  Their carefully laid plans and preparations were betrayed by a rebel's wife.  Though their plot was exposed, they still carried out their plans, despite being outnumbered by the National Guard and having less firepower.  The insurrectionists were massacred.  During the battle, 70 Africans were killed, but only seven of the National Guard fell.  After the revolt was violently ended, 200 Africans went to court to receive sentences of death, flogging, or hard labor.  The majority of those who spared capital punishment were tortured to death.  More than 500 slaves were deported back to Africa.

Because of the brutal retaliation against the Malês insurrectionists, the revolt exposed the plight of the slaves and the moral evils inherent in slavery.  Soon after, laws were enacted that ultimately led to the emancipation of slaves throughout Brazil.