What is the goal within the roda?
In Capoeira, there is neither a winner nor a loser. There are no rules, prohibitions, points, or other things that define most martial arts. But there is a strategy, and that is what is sought in a game. Capoeiristas enter the game to listen to their opponent, to understand his strategy, and accordingly to structure and implement their own, to trap and immobilize him, while breaking his regularity and rhythm.
In no case do Capoeiristas aim to hurt or cause serious health problems to their opponents. The acts, no matter how cruel, are not violent at the base. Capoeiristas always play with a smile on their face, respect their interlocutor, and love this improvised physical dialogue that develops with each other.
Brief History of Capoeira Martial Arts
During the 16th century, when the Portuguese colonized Brazil, they used its natives as a workforce. However, they died easily, due to enduring illnesses, hardship, and hard work. For this reason, the colonialists imported African slaves from parts of West Africa, mainly from Angola and Rwanda. Millions of free people were imprisoned and transported against their will (chained and in miserable conditions) to an unknown country.
Those who survived the long and torturous journey were transported to the sugar cane fields and lived in villages called Senzalas. Under pressure from both the Portuguese and the Dutch, who later arrived in the new country, they realized their need for freedom. African slaves brought with them not only pain and nostalgia for their homeland but also a unique cultural heritage.
So they began to practice an early form of Capoeira martial arts, with the sole aim of escaping the Senzalas and gaining their independence. Those who managed to escape created the Quilombos. The Quilombos were the settlements of these brave and at the same time lucky men, especially in areas with intense vegetation, so that they were not easily perceived.
There, they managed to live with dignity and develop their cultural identity and culture. According to the prevailing view, Capoeira evolved there, although its foundations had already been laid by the Senzalas. Very soon, as the escapes from the Senzalas and the revolutions increased, the authorities began to wonder what exactly the African slaves were doing. This was one of the main reasons why this art has allegorical movements.
Many times it looks more like a dance than martial arts, combining music and songs, to give the impression that it is not intended for any aggressive behavior. In this way, it survived through the centuries. Later, after the liberation of slaves in 1889, Africans concentrated mainly in large cities to find work. Many of them used Capoeira to make a living. In 1900, because of the unrest, this art was officially criminalized in Brazil.
So far, Capoeira seems to refer to slaves, immigrants, people on the margins of society, and those coming from the lower social and class strata. But there were important teachers, Mestres as they are called in Capoeira, who developed their art, expanded it, and made it known, accessible, and necessary for the general public. A typical example is two leading figures of Capoeira: Mestre Pastihna and Mestre Bimba. The first one defended Capoeira Angola (the traditional form of this art), defining a specific way of teaching and of course maintaining its philosophical background.
The phrase of this great teacher has remained unchanged in history: "Capoeira is what the mouth can eat". Mestre Bimba also played a decisive role in the decriminalization of Capoeira and created a new method, using techniques from other martial arts, also known as Capoeira Regional. Essentially with its systematization, Capoeira began to be introduced to the upper social strata and spread outside Brazil.
Why bother with this art?
This art has to do with the practice of perception, thinking, action, the plasticity of the body, the extreme moments that can be reached, the internal and external rhythm, and especially the observation. Above all, Capoeira is a way of socializing and laying the real foundations of collectivity and mutual respect that every society requires for the smooth coexistence of its members.
Through Capoeira, loneliness, fear, anger, criminal behaviors, discrimination, and personal obstacles can be controlled in a peaceful way. At the same time, it is a means of physical exercise, which is good for health and especially for the lungs; it is aerobic exercise, which if you exercise regularly pushes you to a healthier lifestyle. Capoeira has now made the round of the world. It is practiced by all ages, genders, and believers of all religions.
Many teachers have dedicated themselves to transmitting this art to people with vision and hearing problems, mobility difficulties, and mental deprivation. Finally, there have been many actions and open Capoeira lessons in refugee camps, migrants, and people affected by war and natural disasters. After all, this art banishes fear and makes you a stronger and more determined citizen with respect for your fellow man.