Capoeira Angola.

One of many cultural weapons used to break the chains of enslavement in Brazil. Music was played during Capoeira sessions to teach the rhythmic heart of the art and to mask its power. In front of the enslavers it looked like playfulness, acrobatic dancing, and joking around. Eventually the enslavers realized its power and outlawed Capoeira Angola. Death was the penalty paid if you were caught during the slavery years. For almost 400 years Capoeira Angola was taught and practiced in secret. Only in the 1930's did this African martial art become legal to teach and practice.

Capoeira Angola:

Capoeira Angola is an ancient yet living tradition with roots in Africa extending to Brazil and branching throughout the world.It is a martial tradition combining music, song, movement, history, strategy, philosophy, and spirituality. Made popular by those of Brazilian heritage, Capoeira often receives the misnomer of "Brazilian" Martial Art. Capoeira is actually one of many African cultural retentions found in the African Diaspora. These traditions are credited to the nation that developed them such as Angola (Bantu), Nago (Yoruba), Gege (Dahomey), and Mandinga/Males (Mali).These nations united to fight for liberation and self-determination. This spirit of resistance against injustice and inhumanity has been an integral part of the history of Capoeira, which was an illegal activity for most of its existence in the "new world".

Capoeira Angola is steeped in ritual, prayer, and invocation. Respect for ones creator, ones guardian spirits, ones ancestors, ones family and ones community is an intergral aspect. It is a philosophy of resiliency, feeling, rhythm, respect, faith, confidence, and pride. All the participants in a roda (defined circular space in which the "game" is played) are interconnected, sharing a common purpose and energy. This oneness of music and song creates a trance-like state for those playing inside of the roda.It is a sacred space of being, awareness, and spontaneous rhythmic motion.

A Kongolese proverb states that the hands are used to create, and the feet are used to destroy. In Capoeira the hands are not used to strike, but are commonly found planted firmly on the ground, connecting one to the source of life, abundance, and the gateway to the ancestors. The music, instruments, and singing of Capoeira are not only used to weave a tapestry of sound and feeling, but also give an opportunity for the entire community to participate.

Capoeira is not a spectator sport, as all are required to sing along in a call and response fashion. It is an art that was used to unite diverse African nations, and can be used today to unite members of the global village. Capoeira teaches respect for ones creator, ones teacher, ones elders, and ones "comrades." It is grounded in a respect for the ancestors and the ethical, moral, and philosophical teachings that have been passed down and preserved in song.

Mestre João Grande is one of the foremost elders and practitioners of Capoeira de Angola and was a student of the legendary Mestre Pastinha (1898-1981). Mestre Pastinha was instructed by an African-born native of Angola named Benedito and is the patriarch of Capoeira de Angola in Brazil. Mestre João Grande is from Bahia, Brazil and currently resides and teaches in New York at the Capoeira Angola Center. He has been practicing and spreading the traditions of Capoeira for more than 50 years.

The energy, flow, and feel of Capoeira captivates and mesmerizes. The agility, creativity, and grace of this "dance" is deceptive and alluring. One quickly forgets that this deadly art was used to fight against slavery and oppression. One is quickly drawn in to oneness of the activity. The pulse of the music and response of the audience propels the movement of the players, as the traditions of ancient Africa live grow and thrive.

GRAND MESTRE PASTINHA, (1889-1982): Opened the first Capoeira Angola School, The Academia De Capoeira Angola, in 1941 in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Mestre Pastinha dedicated his school to preserving and continuing the long tradition of this African martial art. He taught Capoeira Angola as a path of self knowledge and mastery. Mestre Pastinha was the first Capoeira Mestre (master) to write a book on Capoeira's history, philosophy and practice: "Capoeira Angola" (3rd edition 1988). He went to Africa with his students to participate in the FESTAC (Festival of African Arts and Culture) activities during the 1970's and has made musical albums promoting the music of this martial art.

Mestre João Grande: One of two remaining Angoleros who were taught by the legendary Grand Mestre Pastinha. For over 40 years Mestre João Grande has dedicated his life to Capoeira Angola in Brazil as well as traveling to Africa, Europe, and North America to promote the art. Grand Mestre João Grande is now teaching at his academy in New York City, the CAPOEIRA ANGOLA CENTER OF MESTRE JOÃO GRANDE. His students learn to play the music and sing the songs of this African-Brazilian martial art along with mastering its movements and philosophy. Mestre João Grande teaches Capoeira Angola in the traditional African way, as a way of life, just as his teacher before him did.