Animals in Capoeira: Capoeira Angola is replete with references to animals, each of which is meant to guide the tone and spirit of the movement, not just the mechanics. Some mestres relate Capoeiras origins to NGolo - the dance of the Zebra, and when you see the movement of the Zebras in combat (https://youtube/watch?v=5e0GqsWLHtU), the aspect of using the opponents weight and attack to guide your movement, the art of keeping contact (real or imagined) so that you are not taken by surprise by their movements (which is most clear in the Capoeira chamada), and the focus on low-centredness in relation to the earth are definitely all replicated in Capoeira Angola. Among the movements that refer directly to animals are: Sapinho (Little Toad): A hopping chamada described here: institutopalmeiras.pbworks/w/page/62034331/Capoeira%20Movements%3A%20Purpose%20and%20Execution Macaco (Monkey): A backward flip done to evade direct frontal attacks, Vôo de Gato (Flight of the Cat): A soft evasive move where the player leaps in a small arc through the air, and lands in a crouched position (hands down, head still and low, feet off the floor) similar to a landing cat (https://youtube/watch?v=-xN12kR4TLc) Vôo de Ouso (Flight of the Bear): This is a heavy attack motion where the player executes a broken cartwheel, launching into the air supported on one hand and hitting the target with the bottom of both feet. The landing is also fairly heavy. Cobrinha (Little Cobra): This is a transitional movement meant to lure the opponent through a deceptively slow and small change of position. The player essentially bends over, looking at the opponent and transfer both legs (together) from one side of the body to the other, barely lifting the feet off the ground. Rabo de Arraia (Rays Tail): Used in combination, this round movement seems to come out of nowhere as it is partially hidden from the opponent until the accelerated strike. This is a family of movements all connected by the fact that the kick is done with the foot parallel to the ground, and the striking surface is the heel. Escorpião (Scorpion): In Capoeira Angola, escorpião is a strike done by lowering the head and body to the side of the opponent, supported on one leg and bringing the other leg over the back to strike the opponent on the other side of their body. This can be done from the floor or standing up, and is also quite deadly because the opponent can only anticipate the movement as the leg is hidden. In Capoeira Contemporanea, it has been lengthened as a floreio and become one of the signature movements of the art-form: https://youtube/watch?v=_LHQWMnITG8 The music and oral history of Capoeira is also full of references to birds, rodents, big cats and on and on: see the compendium here: institutopalmeiras.pbworks/w/page/20000806/Cantar%20e%20Capoeira%2C%20Camara
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:26:45 +0000
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