Every time I went through the links on this course's web site, I couldn't help but think of Capoeira. Um... yea... that word... Most people have no idea what that is. So, why is it that I kept going through trying to read these links but kept getting pulled back thinking of Capoeira?
Well... first off, let me explain a little of what Capoeira is. Capoeira could basically be generalized as Afro-Brazilian dance fighting. Interesting. Well... Capoeira (keep track of how many times I say 'well'... it will be, well, interesting) was created by slaves as a chance to develop martial arts skills while disguising their actions as a dance involving instruments and song.
What was so great (and is so great) about Capoeira is the communication involved. New slaves introduced into society to assimilate into new social circles and prove themselves and/or have fun by advancing in the art. Not like in some martial arts, you don't advance by kicking the shit out of your opponent... no. Capoeira is a conversation in itself. The two people participating, or "fighting" work with each other with non-verbal communication. Moreover, the songs themselves reflect what is going on in the game, or "fight." Unlike in modern culture where people communicate so bluntly and succinctly through text message and IM, Capoeira is fluid and is done subtly through eye and body movement. That is why I am so in love with this martial art. It is a throwback to an older time where we communicated with body language and not finger-typing language.
Capoeira became a niche society as time progressed and is now one of the few sports that is practiced in every country in the world. Because so much of Capoeira is based on communication between the two people playing, or fighting, I doubt it will ever become an Olympic sport. Too bad. I invite anybody reading this to Google Capoeira and look into it. Or, if you know me, just ask me and I will be happy to teach you a few things.
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