Uma nova casa de capoeira em Cidade do Cabo

16 March 2010. It’s been a little over 3 weeks since the 1^st Cordao de Ouro batizado, an event that ignited the Capoeira community. Following 2 weeks of teaching from Contra-Mestre Chicote, the event culminated in a final 4 days of workshops and a batizado at the end that included Afro-Dance, Maculele, and loads of Capoeira.

It goes little to say that most capoeiristas have found a ‘home’ for Capoeira, a place where they have the guidance of a teacher, a style they can call their own, a culture they can grow into and a buy-in into a seamless community that continues to extend its borders. To the Capoeirista that was part of UCT Capoeira between 2004 – 2008, they could be been described as the ‘wondering Capoeira nomad’ reliant on the few opportunities a master of Capoeira visited our shores or if they are fortunate enough to travel abroad and experience the numerous established Capoeira communities. For those just starting Capoeira, or are still young in the game, the arrival of the 2 Contra-Mestres is a dream come true to experience some “real authentic Capoeira.”

Drawing from all of this, it remains to be asked, “What does a home of Capoeira look like?” What does it feel like? Is there such a thing as authentic Capoeira? Do we need a teacher to learn Capoeira? What kind of environment fosters the growth and development of Capoeira? Most importantly, how does a seemingly Brazilian Art form integrate with local cultures and communities?

You may be wondering where I am going with all of this? Well, most of my colleagues with whom I used to train with in the past were honoured at the recent batizado and have subscribed to this breakthrough in the Capoeira community. In a discussion some of my colleagues, the prospect of finally obtaining a ‘home’ for this beloved art resonantly rang amongst them. While I always knew that we had lost home years back, I was led to question, what does it take to build a home for Capoeira? Where had we failed? Had we really failed? Or rather had our season passed and a new era is upon us? In that case how do u build a solid foundation for the future of Capoeira?

After brooding over this, I realised the single catalyst and cornerstone of any group leadership. Your teacher, the person that you look up to for inspiration, from whom you seek guidance from. While it is often true that we can teach ourselves anything, we will still need to engage with a teacher, a mentor or a guide to teach, provide guidance or facilitate learning. Before the academy days, it was common that a person would watch a roda in session and would pull away to the side and attempt to copy the movements that they saw. They would be extremely fortunate should a virtuoso come to assist them. It is also true that a teacher, guide etc has a threshold in what they can teach you, at which point the student either advances to another teacher or decides to take discipleship of the art-form and adapts his/her teachings to their perspective. Most schools recognise this and usually that is the point an individual is conferred with the title Contra-Mestre.

Unfortunately or rather fortunately, it is not simple to attain such status. It is clearly hard work and dedication is required to achieve and maintain such a level. Based on this very argument, the development of as many Capoeiristas as possible is the most important priority. Amongst the masses that will be taught will emerge those that have the will to continue with the work of Capoeira. Having a home and a reference point at which to nurture talent is thus advantageous to this end.

UCT Capoeira had this formula one point and Abada Capoeira has this formula the group continually has momentum with an annual Batizado that allows a constant reference point to a ‘source.’

At UCT Capoeira the annual cycle of new leadership makes it difficult to have a continual agenda. However it provides a structure which feeds the greater Capoeira system. In that regard, it fulfils its purpose of opening the minds of the masses to the existence of Capoeira amongst themselves.

It’s funny though how the lessons of Capoeira hold true in our daily walk. Always adapting, always changing form, Capoeira was and is merely evolving to suit the current environment. This also holds true in Cape Town and the arrival of the Contra-Mestres has opened a new era of Capoeira in southern Africa that adds a new dynamic to this space.

As such, the Batizado did not just christen individuals into Capoeira and acknowledge the advancement of others. It christened a new era of Capoeira in CPT.

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‘The Small sneeze’ ready to chow Cape Town

The Cape Town Capoeira Community welcomed Contra-Mestre Espirrinho, from Cordao de Ouro. Clearly the Capoeira community was craving an enriching Capoeira experience as they thronged the Karate Dojo, temporary home of Cordao de Ouro South Africa.

The classes led by the guest teacher covered basics in various levels of difficulty. Armada, Meia lua de Compasso, bencao and passa frente where the movements focussed on during the 2 hour session. For most of us, it felt like coming back into Capoeira after months or years of ill practise. This was clearly evident in the roda following the session. Most said they felt it hard to cope with the tempo of the young master, who easily flowed and connected each movement in his vocabulary of movements.

Espirrinho further held down the roda musically. Clearly he is gifted musically effortlessy guiding the roda where people sang to their hearts content. “Eh Parane eh parana, parana, parane eeeeh Parana,” went the roda and it felt like people were longing to go to Parana. Eish I felt my heart lift and I quickly forgot that I had not played in a long time. I felt like I could play like I did at my peak. Not that I have ever peaked in my Capoeira career, but it sure felt like I had a peak at some point.

But the contra-mestre’s arrival into South Africa had me question, what the whole development plan for Capoeira in the country? Capoeira has been in South Africa roughly 15 years when it sprouted in Cape Town and in Johannesburg. Since then, we have seen relationships built and destroyed and people coming and going. What remains is a core group of Capoeiristas that do not have a link or a relationship that collectively develops Capoeira in the region. The question arises then, how do we develop such relations that effectively develop and grow the art? How do we tap in the knowledge of the contra-mestre who is here indefinitely so that it contributes to the greater whole of Capoeira in the greater Southern Africa?

Well last Friday, the 5^th of February 2010 saw Abada host its 1^st Aulao of the year. For those not in the know, this is a monthly gathering of all the Abada classes in Cape Town at the main class in Observatory in Cape Town. Other Capoeira groups are invited to this modest mass gathering and well it’s your opportunity to test your Capoeira with your fellow class mates and visitors who happen to pitch up. I happened to come in late (eish Capoerista time) and boy the feeling of that roda leaked through the wall as I approached the venue. To my surprise, the Contra Mestre was on the berimbau with head instructor of Abada. I will just say the roda was absolutely amazing. It has been a while since I have heard people sing the way they did, play the way they played. The roda swayed to the hypnotic berimbau rhythms, some I have never heard in my short Capoeira life, and heads bobbed in the typical hip-hop head culture. And one point the whole roda refused to commence play choosing to sing along to popular Capoeira tracks. People could not help but smile away. I felt content and despite my long absence from Capoeira, I felt like I had been playing all along without a break. I genuinely felt the power of unity within Capoeira.

I guess if there was any apprehension to the arrival of the Contra-Mestre, it has been allayed. With a common goal in mind, the Contra-Mestre will add great value to the Capoeira in South Africa.

(Check out some more pics at the Facebook Roda Club!)