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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