Welcome to Capoeira Internet. The real aim of this Game Debate is to find a practical and positive solution for us all to evolve our lives playing with Capoeira in the Roda, or the ring... of life! You must "buy the Game" to find out what kind of "master" you've adopted in your way of living.
Despite the misery we have everywhere in this world I'll give you some good news during the Game. Let me remind you that since 1500 we have been enhancing our culture in Brazil and playing the Capoeira Ritual to oppose the trickfull Jesuit missionaries, the military and the politicians from our decayed government. We are now reaching the year 2000?! Two thousand years of "ma$ters X$laves" games! The ginga step we use to disguise Capoeira as a dance form will B professionally performed in our "organic" Game to fight against the oppression imposed by a master sister and to help inspire (graduate?) those slaves in Brazil who didn't fall under the mislead "Call of Freedom" (a "Batizado"?) given by a lying Portuguese mistress/master princess Isabel in May 13, 1988. My friends, let's evolve our Capoeira and fight against our true foes.
Just as denounced by the pagodeiro Bezerra Da Silva from Rio de Janeiro in one of his most popular ladainha songs called "verdadeiro canalha" (or the true "mob") we have lots of masters abusing and disrespecting people and the Brazilian family. A most notorious one nowadays has "graduated" as an engineer and politician. Knowingly he built and is still building sub-standard housing (quilombos?) that have consequently collapsed onto the heads of the locals. In 1998 the (canalha) developer's latest project; a building of great sub-standard in Rio de Janeiro caused the destruction of many people's lives, all this with the one low well aimed deadly... rasteira kick?! Afterwards the malicious master "mandingou" ...used his political Capoeira tricks in the parliament to walk out freely laughing about the misfortune that he had caused from the rasteira kick (the building!) and also the given Tax exemption. — Can you believe it?! Following his Capoeira game, he refused to award the families and the victims that he sent to their graves with the proper cordél capoeiristas use in their Batizado graduation... (??) — a martial art$ belt graduation?? Or the due social compensation?! Deceitfully, during the development of his disgusting Capoeira Game (building), he stated in full printed in blood color and poverty to the Brazilian Nation via VEJA (Times) magazine that he is "just" another one of those rotten (ops, I mean poor) rich people from the decaying Brazilian opulent society. He almost became another "national artist hero" what with his defiant face appearing as a guest on the front cover of that periodical.
There are masters like President Clinton and others from the Middle East, etc., playing i-mmoral sex and religiou$ terrorist bombing games. Other like the master Minister of Australia J. Howard stated in 1998, before the last election, his Liberal Party would never bring a GST to Australians (liar!) and now... (guess?!) are they performing a Capoeira back flip, mate?! We also have masters of corruption, pedophiliac, etc., everywhere and the masters from our crooked National Parliamentary Roda de Capoeira in Brazil are (in part) responsible for the Batizado and martial (belt?) "clas$ifications" of our lawlessness multi million illiterate Brazilian nation with this kind of "REAL Economy Game" they're now promoting! But some literate Brazilians and capoeiristras are also "in part" accountable for supporting their dirty moves.
My Capoeira Internet aims to encourage people to use Capoeira to fight against such kind of "mestres" who're are disrespecting Life and playing ruthless political kicks aimed at our folks and capoeiristas... everywhere!
What it means TO BE a Master? To be a master is as "simple a question" as TO BE(come) a father & mother! A master must love, protect, guide and interact with respect to his next of kind. A mestrede Capoeira must B qualified to execute his professional work for the improvement of social and spiritual needs of his community.
What about the other labels? (master?) — There are many people/master who're donating free of charge brain washing social belting cla$s-ification in a Roda! There are also amazingly talented capoeiristas (acrobats) spinning with their heads on the floor playing a "pião-de-cabeça" (?) yet some are irresponsible as professionals when working with Capoeira for the cultural enhancement of our communities. Other capoeiristas aren't respecting the rhythms of a Berimbau Mestre, our actual master in a Roda. Others think they are Capoeira masters 'cause they "inflate" their bodies using steroids and add different martial arts styles and moves to compete against each other. Another kind of masters is imitating Capoeira for holy-wood puppeteers or being manipulated in Brazil in the hands of a "TV" $lave master system. Nowadays mestres are dressing Capoeira in a white uniform and claiming that this choice symbolizes the peace they promote in their Capoeira way of living (??) — Yet I found it hard to welcome this Regional practice after the nonsensical premeditated kick (*check link) I received in my eye in April 1998 at Bondi beach, Sydney. The peaceful souvenir was given by another one of the irresponsible kind of "white dressed" (??) Capoeira masters! Others are claiming they are traditional Capoeira masters yet they may look like fanatic "Anglicans" religiou$sly dressing Capoeira in a black uniform and mimicking odd gestures with the most "saint & mercantile" Catholic Crux sign inside a Roda. They claim that they are safeguarding the traditions of our $lave Ritual. But they are committing a kind of "original sin-full move" by discriminating each other and their "Catholic" brothers (?) — the capoeiristas from the Contemporary Capoeira Regional style?!
We also have nowadays a kind of Mafia in Capoeira.
There are mestres intimidating our Capoeira students using brutal force
and violence! They want to get total control & ownership of the Capoeira
business everywhere. You may get very astonish by the costs and fees requisites
students have to pay to have the honour of having his/her master to participate
in a batizado graduation. Those capoeiristas have certainly been "graduated"
to proudly represent and follow the will of their renowned hero: foreman,
general, priest, mafia type politician... etc. Tourists have also been
exploited and insulted by capoeiristas (mestres) in front of the Mercado
Modelo market in Salvador, Bahia, during public performances.
People have been frequently forced to pay REALU$
tributes to such: Ma$ters...?!
$laves...?!
—
Nevertheless, before the
Jogo
finishes and after dramatizing this "master mess" I've brought to your
attention... now let's throw it up to the heavens and ask master God
to "baptize" (and graduate!) the Internet Game! Any kind of "master"
should B very aware that God wants U$
to respect and share Capoeira as ONE unique spirit and all capoeiristas
should follow and respect the rhythm of a Berimbau Mestre without discriminations
in a Roda de Capoeira.
Unfortunately a growing number of capoeiristas are using most of their skills to play (check the Protest link) against Capoeira. But people are just starving for the real work of trustworthy professional masters to help unify our kin (quilombos) and fight to preserve the traditional cultural and spiritual values of the $lave Ritual. I am particularly adept to the freedom Capoeira can offer and like to promote my Rodas free of discrimination!
Therefore I would like to wish the Axé to all those professional "artists" who are truly responsible for the evolution of our ritual. To all capoeiristas and those involved with our unique culture. A genuine master capoeirista, artists, should fight to help the community acquire the basic social needs such as: the right to buy and own land and homes, food, schools and education, leisure time and a Medicare system for all.
Thank you very much for your time and participation in the Capoeira Internet Game.
Mandingueiramente,
My reference is: Lonely Planet (996). Brazil, Travel Survival Kit, 3rd edition - The Northeast. Lonely Planet Publications. Victoria, Australia, pg420. (back)
update on axe capoeira
batizado I thought you might be interested in. I wasn't able to attend,
I was in Los Angeles, but apparently last weekend Mestre Barrao's two sons
17 yrs and 18 yrs who both train capoeira and are both incredible, had
a run in with the police in Vancouver. The police were power tripping,
but instead of letting it go the two sons egged it on till the police swung
punches and the boys took them both down in one swoop.
Luckily for the
boys, Canadian police officers don't carry guns. The worst the have is
mace and the younger brother kicked it out of the officers hand before
he could spray. But police always win, and now they might go to
jail, and it could
be really serious if the prosecution tries to argue that their capoeira
training is like a lethal weapon.
This was the weekend
before the batizado. So at the batizado, there were no take downs, no rough
play whatsoever. Some police officers were there watching and mestre
B. didn't want to give them any sense that capoeira is violent, hoping
to lessen the time for his sons.
It was the friendliest
people at Axe have ever played.
----- Original Message
-----
From: Mestre Barrão
- CAN
To: 'Mestre Jeronimo
Capoeira - JC'
Sent: Tuesday, September
16, 2003
Subject: Mestre
Barrão-
Dear Jeronimo,
I did not reply before because I am very busy with the work of the group. Concerning the incident that occurred with my two sons, I can tell you that from what we know, they were the victims. Unfortunately I cannot give you any details as it is in the hands of the lawyers. I can however, guarantee everyone that the version given by the person who wrote to you in the first email is wrong. I am going to ignore the last email that was sent by this same person, because those who know me and know my work know that it is not true. What is happening right now is merely one more obstacle. After dealing with so many things in my life, this for me is "small potatoes". Many of those who have had a life without obstacles tend to create a "tempest in a teacup". I am sorry for not being able to please everyone.
Axé, Mestre Barrão.
-------
From: Mestre Jeronimo
Capoeira - JC
To: robert zen humpage
Sent: Tuesday, September
16, 2003 1:37 PM
Subject: Capoeira
is not Hollywood - but your life is!!!!
Dear Robert, (writing to the rOD@ in behalf of Mestre Barrao) -- you could reply all, yet, is sending to me - I must share with the Roda, 'cause I am not interested in private games on this subject, and it is of a public (Capoeira concern).
I agree with you, Capoeira is more than Hollywood. Yet, some act like 'hollywood' puppets with their lives, and Capoeira is life, isn't it?!
As you may know ( can also ignore) the world is about holly-wwod, isn't it? What to do?
If you can't educate in the way that it should be, make it the way that they like to BE - eat - ... - or not to BE - this is not a questiion.
By the way, things are coming back... but as you know, and see, ti's not to me, yet to everybody, this includes you. After that you seed...
As far as I can be upset, if anyone will make to the public what they talk behind my back... well, my rent is paid mate, and my daughter is educated and respected. What else can I add..?? Nothing else... - I am sorry, yes I can add...
U ARE WRONG CAMARA... THE RODA IS REAL IN THE NET... CAN'T YOU SEE THE EFFECT?? YET, THOSE THAT USE A CAR, MOBILE PH, ETC, AND CLAIM THEIR LIVES WITH CAPOEIRA AS IF THEY WERE LIVING IN THE 18TH CENTURY SHOULD UPDATE LIFE, AND THAT MEAN CAPOEIRA. ALSO, TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE... CAPOEIRA BRASILEIRA (na real) WAS NEVER INTEND TO BE THIS BULLSHIT GYMNASTICS THAT some PROFESS... some that sell our culture and DENY THE LUTA, THE IDEALS OF ZUMBI AND PALMARES. IT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE MEMORY OF OUR 'REAL' MESTRES... THOSE THAT OPPOSED DISCRIMINATION AND FIGHT WITH CAPOEIRA TO FREEDOM. IF THAT DOES NOT MEAN POLITICS TO YOU... - You deserve the right to have your own Caapoeira way. Please respect CAPOEIRA when it profess different then what you believe in English is translated. I suggest you learn Portuguese to try to understand what people translate to you. Also, try to use some of your time with the history (the real one) of our culture. If you intend to became a professional in the art and guide others... well... why discriminate Capoeira, if you went to the Uni, did you??
I am not in the position to please you or Mr Bush, Howard, etc the same way of liar. I am getting to the public everything that people send that may change the way, hypocrite, that some of our professionals perform their lives with Capoeira. I do not intend to change your life, you must be the change that you want to se in your Roda, life!
I am not saying that your mestre is one irresponsible. After what was sent, it is up to him to make it clear if he feels it is not the way it should be. Yet, aggression, violence is not the way. Take the matter to the Capoeira way that may graduate everything that you stated he is and profess. To justify that he is busy, and to discriminate this Roda... well... you are missing something, CAPOEIRA 2003.
Robert, I can only hope that you will see some day soon what is going on from a different window, of Education, and communication to evolve.
I do respect your opinion, but you must to the same to me, others alike. Or else... you seed... you eat it.
Axe' to you and prosperity to your family. Your love and commitment to your teacher shows that you are someone that love Capoeira. Don't play blind... - let Capoeira evolve your life in 2003!
May the Ideals of Zumbi and Palmares be with you - if you chose so.
Mestre Jeronimo -
Iconoclast JC
JC'S Capoeira Angola
School - Community Arts and Culture in Australia
----- Original Message
-----
From: robert zen
humpage
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, September
16, 2003 4:58 AM
Subject: Re: to
talk about someone behind his back
Jeronimo,
I wonder if you
might in the future ask the person in question if they would like their
lives posted on the web first, as to not cause someone more problems.
As a reporter, you must gather information before you send it out for the
public to see. If something happened to you, that caused you some
stress, turned out for everyone to see on the internet, you would be upset
if they did not ask you first out of respect. Capoeira is not Hollywood
Jeronimo, nor is
it worldwide politics, so to want to evolve, and then do this, is to do
the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish, I would think.
There is no roda on the net, the roda is at the academies, and pracas all
over the world, and that is why the Mestre has no time to respond to your
e-mails about him, because he is busy playing capoeira, and training.
No one gave you the right to speak about someone else's life, not in private,
nor on th web. For sure things will come back to bite you one day.
Berimbau
> ----- Original
Message -----
> From: ssabrba@
> To: berimbauz@
; [email protected]
> Sent: Monday,
September 15, 2003 6:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Mestre
Barrao - to morrendo de medo
>
>
> Instrutor Berimbau.
>
> congratulation
in your defense of Barrao, it seems that you're a loyal
> follower. at the
same time you're missing the point and showing to the
> world and confirming
what was stated ealier is true. if i'm not mistaken
> you're challenging
me to some kind of violent physical interaction, which
> i'm not interested
at the moment. the time for duel has long passed. since
> gunpowder was
invented capoeira as well every othe martial art, became
> obsolete. Capoeira
is a very good weapon, but the true quilombola of 2003
> should use it
as a weapon of mass education. not of mass idiotization.
> I've witnessed
the so called Mestre Barrao knockout women and teenagers
> when he has being
invited to batizados. you harvest what you plant and you
> eat what you harvest
and you have to digest what you ate. a lot of you
> hate the internet,
but it is here to stay, and is making people more
> conected and able
to question dogmas and false dogmas.
>
> One more thing
i'm not a capoeirista, just somebody/a nobody who cares
> about my KOOLTURE,
i don't have nothing to prove.
>
> Mestre Bimba used
to say that ...quando uma briga não é pra você, deixe
> pra amanhã.
and that Barrao rshould taught his own sons. he should taught
> his sons to be
real malandro and walk away, because just a idiot will
> think that in
Babylon you can beat the pigs and get away with it. once
> more congratulations
and thank you for take time out of training and write
> to me, it must
have been a real sacrifice to you. but i will issue a
> challenge to you
2. train hard, but don~t forget to train you mind too.
> only the strong
and smart survive. the pseudo-macho-malandro get shot or
> end up seing the
sun square with vertical stripes. Salvador
> ---------------
>
> In a message dated
14/9/2003 23:46:05 Central Daylight Time,[email protected] writes:
>
> I have
recieved an e-mail from someone who enjoys our grupo's rodas from
> time to time.
I would like to know if you are a capoeirista, and would
> like to know if
you would like to call Mestre Barrao a "coward" to his
> face, or if you
just stay on your computer like a true internet capoeira,
> who doesn't train
enough to know the difference between violence and
> effieciency. Mestre
barrao never teaches us how to beat people, he shows
> us how to defend
ourselves. If you spent less time on the internet, you
> might be as good
as him. Mestre Barrao is the opposite of what you speak,
> and it is obvious
that you are probably one of the capoeiristas who live
> in vancouver who
is from another grupo, who is jealous for the sucess that
> Mestre Barrao
has gained from being as good as he is. He is the only
> capoeirista who
has an Open roda, where no one has to pay to play in, and
> allows anyone
to play there. No one in the city has that but him. Care to
> dispute? Probably
not. I can tell from your e-mail that you are Brazilian,
> the errors in
your writing show it clearly. I wonder if there will be a
> day where you
will have the courage to play capoeira at our academy ever,
> or if you will
just stay away, in your little corner of the universe,
> where no one cares
about your capoeira, or if you will step inside the
> true realm of
the capoeirista. Instrutor Berimbau
> Grupo Axe Capoeira
>
>
Regards
--
Love Peace And
Good Vibes
NemanJAH
**Translation by Janaina Santos**
Mestre Pastinha (Vincente Ferreira Pastinha b. April 5, 1889 - d. November 13, 1981) was a brilliant capoeirista whose game was characterized by agility, quickness and intelligence. He is to a great extent the reason why Capoeira Angola did not died out as a legitimate martial arts system. Known as the great traditionalist, he wanted his students to understand the practice, philosophy and tradition of the pure Capoeira Angola.
In 1964, an anthropologist from Finland went to Brazil to research African-Brazilian
culture and white there conducted an interview with Mestre Pastinha.
A tape of this interview along with other material was recently discovered
in Finland.
*INT: Interviewer
from Finland
*MP:
Mestre Pastinha
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
INT:
Master, how long have you been playing Capoeira?
MP:
Since 1910.
INT:
Explain to me a little about Capoeira.
MP:
The explanation about the origin? The origin is African.
INT:
Where did you learn Capoeira?
MP:
Here in Bahia at 10 years old.
INT:
Who taught you?
MP:
An African.
INT:
What was his name?
MP:
He was called Benedito.
INT:
Is he from Angola?
MP:
Angola.
INT:
People say Capoeira is a fight but now it is becoming prohibited
as a fight.
MP:
No, Capoeira is not prohibited as a fight. Capoeira is inside of
a man. When he meets an enemy, he manifests Capoeira as a fight. But when
he is happy, Capoeira becomes a dance.
INT:
How long have you had this space in Pelourinho?
MP:
Since 1952.
INT:
Have you ever gone to a foreign country?
MP:
I haven't gone yet. I had an opportunity that I lost which was to
go to Argentina but because I got an invitation for Sao Paulo I went to
Sao Paulo instead of Argentina.
INT:
At what age do people learn Capoeira?
MP:
Any age. Anybody can learn.
INT:
The boys who learn here generally are students and workers?
MP:
Yes, they are workers, construction workers, students, employed in
business.... Everything we have here.
INT:
So Capoeira is only a past-time?
MP:
Yes.
INT:
Do people only come here in their free time?
MP:
Yes.
INT:
So Capoeira isn't a livelihood.
MP:
No.
INT:
What is the difference between the old Capoeira and today's Capoeira?
MP:
Before, it was the same thing. It is the same thing. It doesn't have
any modification. The modification is in the consideration from one man
to another. If he has a vocation and comes with a happy spirit then we
play Capoeira with more obedience and more technique. But when the hate
comes, Capoeira also changes to a fight. In a happy attitude it is a dance.
In an attitude of hate you already know how it is. It is for violence.
INT:
Have you personally carried a weapon?
MP:
No.
INT:
Capoeira is also present in Boa Viagem, Santa Barbara, Santo Amaro,
Cachoeira.
MP:
Santo Amaro, Cachoeira... I am all over the place. Wherever I am
invited I am going to. Here we are ready to attend any purpose and
that can be any place where people are interested in Capoeira because
then I will be interested in going.
INT:
But where do you think the tradition of Capoeira Angola is most pure?
Here [in Bahia]?
MP:
Yes.
INT:
What do you think about Master Bimba?
MP:
Nothing I have to answer. He has another purpose and about
others I can't address. On this one I can answer for it. But about the
other... I know that he is a ....I respect Bimba, and I can't speak
for his purpose because he has his purpose and the only one who can
say something is him.
INT:
Of course, of course. He said that he presents a tradition from Bahia.
Do you believe that he presents a tradition from Bahia?
MP:
He is from Bahia too. The tradition is the same. From me to him and
from him to me I think there isn't any modification.
INT:
Does he present more of a tradition from Africa?
MP:
He presented another modality that was named Regional. But he was
Angoleiro. He learned Angola. He is as Angoleiro as I am. I can't
take that away from him.
INT:
But others like Waldemar and Caicara? Are they your disciples?
MP:
Here I can't give another's purpose because I present mine. I can't
present the other purpose.
INT:
But I am asking if it is still an African tradition.
MP:
It is. The tradition is the same but they have their declaration,
which is different. He learned with another master and I can't say
anything.
INT:
What is the future plan with Capoeira?
MP:
The Capoeira future is this: It is here in the function of the man.
Then comes also the human evolution. But he has to manifest this inside
the Capoeira itself. It can't get out, no it can't be outside.
INT:
When people start to salute the Capoeira, that means that there is
a religious meaning?
MP:
Capoeira is religious. It comes from the same religion as Candomble,
as the Batuque and the Samba. Candomble is and has the same amount of religious
meaning but now with the modification it is a little bit different. The
manifestation is a little bit different but the amount is the same. The
religion is the same.
INT:
People say that there is a rivalry between Candomble and Capoeira.
MP:
It doesn't have rivalry; it is together. The Capoeirista is
the same as a Candomble priest. Now he has abandoned one part for another.
We follow the Candomble priest. We practice the Candomble. If it
wasn't like that we wouldn't go in the Candomble house. We are from
the same base. But now, one runs to Capoerismo, the other to Candomble.
INT: Of course, of course.
END.
** This game bellow in Portugese
From: Master Cobra
Mansa Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 1:25 AM
Subject: O que e
stilo iuna ?
Por favor me explicar
o que stilo Iuna ,poque eu so conheco como toque .
Obrigado M cobra
mansa ** Please, can you tell me what's "style'
Iuna, 'cause I only know Iuna as a rhythm**
----- Original Message
-----
From: JC Sent: Wednesday,
April 10, 2002 10:13 AM
Subject: Master Cobra
Mansa: O que e stilo iuna ? What's to ginga with Iuna call
Mestre Cobra Mansa, USA, Rod@...
Let's share this game to evolve Capoeira... Iee... The Gunga calls (o toque) 'Iuna' to our Roda.
<<Por favor
me explicar o que stilo Iuna ,poque eu so conheco como toque .
Obrigado M cobra
mansa >>
I (JC) learnt that we have to Ginga with Capoeira and follow, respond to the Gunga call.
After listening to Mestre Joao Pequeno also saying that a capoeirista MUST follow the toque (rhythm, call) of the Berimbau (Gunga) in a Roda... (...) and the "old mestres" stating that they would follow (Ginga to) the call of 'Cavalaria'. Cavalaria rhythm is to denounce + alert that the police is coming.
Iuna... well... we hear that there are many 'Iuna' - and depending who and the situation, where... (..)
Mestre Bimba created, developed his own Iuna game in Bahia. What mean to ignore that? I guess is to ignore our own BR culture and the Capoeira history that was officially reborn in the 1930's. The traditional way everybody performed Capoeira changed. Teaching in academy style (estilo de academia?), calling Capoeira "my sport" - both Pastinha and Bimba, etc. People, capoeiristas, instead of praying for the 'Organic Capoeira' way (stilo?) of Ganga Zumba, Zumbi and Palmares would then follow the 'call' of the industrial era. As well as the Africans now play their traditional music (dance?) with electric guitars, plastic drum skins, etc, and Indigenous in BR would pray opera based songs for a 'gOd" that oppressed and enslaved them. That "ginga" was imposed by the invader. Capoeira, what IT means, has many faces = eh misterio!
"CAPOEIRA EH TUDO O QUE A BOCA COME!" (...) = Indeed, everything that we eat, everyday, in 2000, IS CAPOEIRA!
Master Cobra Mansa (others): Iuna, stilo Iuna... Yes, I know it:
As a kid we used to Ginga a game called "Jogo de Floreio" - change the "flavour" of the Ginga to perform Capoeira with more acrobatic moves, always 'alert', I remember. People would think not of us as fighting, yet we disguised Capoeira in a performance (stilo).
The Grupo Senzala from RJ, does perform the Ginga to Iuna toque. I participated in one International event in London 3 years ago where we had a demonstration of Iuna in a public Roda. Mestres Gato, Leopoldina, Maron (da Angola), Sorriso, and many others masters and students from different parts of EU were present and the Gunga called Iuna. We followed the call with solo demonstrations of acrobatics, jokes, and then Masters and graduated capoeiristas present played Capoeira to the Iuna rhythm.
I never heard this toque in a Roda of "angoleiros". BUT, the Iuna is registered at the Angola Pelourinho CD with Morais, Cobra Mansa and Mestre Joao Grande. What mean to have the Iuna song in this Capoeira Angola CD but never use it to Ginga? Yet, if we play the CD during a class session, when it comes the Iuna, Santa Maria, etc that we hear registered in this CD what should people ginga?! Usually the CD contents reflects the work and 'stilo' of Ginga that the grupo, mestre, etc, performs, isn't it?!
Cobra, I remember that when I was at your Festival in D.C., I asked the question: If you listen to the call of Iuna in a Roda what would you Ginga/game? Then someone from Master Joao Grande, during our conversation, sad that the Iuna was recorded at this CD to exalt Mestre Bimba - he sad that somewhere he listen it from Morais - ?! Then I asked, why it's not anywhere in the CD booklet anything written to confirm that?! My question (Chamada) remains with no proper answer, remember.
Perhaps now you Cobra (someone else) could give US a reply to this question:
When, why, how should the 'Iuna' be performed. Or what does the Iuna to you represent. What's Iuna anyway? I would like to hear what you have to say and forward it to our Rod@.
People would love to have a reply to this call and share your knowledge on this matter. This will add a good "flavour" to eat and evolve our lives with Capoeira.
Axe'
M.jc - Sydney AU
Subject: Laroiê... Re: Don't mess with a cobra with a short stick -
Yoji and Vaqueiro...
Things look good... people talking, communicating, interacting... Tupa LOVES IT!
Yoji... o Ebo foi enviado conforme? Indio nUm tem barba tu esqueceu... ahahhh... yet, - Pimentou aquele NUS que mandingou com o Loka a gosto ... ahahahah... da-lhe Exu... mandinga and play Capoeira = Trickster...
Like it... like IT... just like my Orixa... me too Bob marley... behave in a cunning and unpredictable manner, often subverting authority in order to shatter illusion and reveal truth.
Got it! So far so good... Sarava Exu ! Elaroue Exu !
I too say obrigado to both of ya an everybody that loves Capoeira, comunicate to evolve!
Indeed, a 'esfera' ta ai brilhando... .
* Sena, fico ca pensando qando eh que a gente vai finalmente poder se encontrar pra dar rizada disso tudo e mais... gingando e tomando umas num boteco. Ate la, saude pra vc e continua rindo pra vida.
Axe' Capoeira.
Da volta ao mundo... fui... voltei...
M. JC
----- Original Message
-----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected] ; [email protected]
Sent: Saturday,
March 02, 2002
Subject: Don't mess
with a cobra with a short stick -
Vaqueiro, Salve
Just to clarify.
ain't no War with anybody. I'm a lover. :) and I have six kids to
take care.
The issue is not
that i oppose her to teach our Art/sport, sport/Art. The issue is that
I would prefer that she do it with, at least, some minimum level of qcompetence.
After been involved with Capoeira, for 2 or 3 years, at least, get to know
when a berimbau is upside down.
As far been a intruder.
I started Capoeira in SSA/BA in 1974, and this year is tenth year of me
teaching in this town. I don't think about Capoeira in terms of Gang turf,
the sun shines to everyone. But, if there's a intruder is not me. Also
I never attacked her or I plan to do it. I've become outspoken because,
it bothered me that, that young girl is talking manure about my ancestors,
the religion of my ancestors and so forth, plus defacing Capoeira. And
that wouldn't fit well with any conscious descendent of Mother Africa.
I have extended many times my hand to her.
By the way I would
never fall victim to a exceptional Capoeirista. As Mestre Bimba used to
say "if you can't fight with fulano, leave it for tomorrow". and as my
father says 'Malandro e o gato, que come peixe e nao vai a praia.''
But, Vaqueiro, sincerely,
thanks very much for the advice. I'll apply.
Salve, e muito Axè
pro'cê.
Jerônimo, meu camarada, eu vi a cabeleira do meu vizinho se queimar. Botei a minha barba de remolho.:)~
Yoji Senna
Afro-Brazilian Capoeira
Assn.
www.abcapoeira.com
TRADIÇÃO
e HERANÇA
Com A Batida No
Pè Desde 1974
tradition and heritage
with the beat on
the feet since 1974
----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected] To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002
Subject: Nao saia na Chuva, se na quer se molhar
municao
(** M. Senna sent JC this note with the word -
ammunition - *** This seems to indicate that he wants M. JC to send
his note to Rod@. ) ... follows... his game in US...
Yoji Senna
Thank you Mrs. Sparague for writing.
I hope you have a good day when you receive this. That the
Oxala' peace cape cover you with its eternal power.
First of all I don't think I'm disturbing, but, if, I'm sorry. Capoeira
is something very important and dear to me, Capoeira is everything to me.
As you should be aware, I've talked extensively with Jay recently,
and he have provided me with a good insight about you and your group. And
particularly how you regard me. I absolutely understand why your fear me
and have to resort to character assassination to explain your fear.
I don't have nothing personal against you, au contrarie. I admire your
for your organizational skills and your care-de-pau by leading a Capoeira
group. You're courageous and bold, and I admire that in a lady. But you're
extremely lucky that your nemesis in town is me. I'm pretty mellow.
I would like to assure that if we cross paths (we will) your physical
integrity as well those of your 'student' will be respected.
This is a small world and it's get smaller and overpopulated. I sent
you the email so you could feel a taste of what is going on in the rest
of the world. And cases like yours are being repeated everywhere.
I don't have a problem with teaching Capoeira et all. Nor because you're
a woman, or white. But I have a problem with you doing whatever.
Last week I get a hold of a CD of your and was laughable at least.
It very offensive to me that was born na Capoeira, and am an Afro-Brazilian
proud of my heritage to know that you're out there perpetrating, sounding
like that and saying that you teach Capoeira.
If your physical Capoeira looks like you guys sound, Meu Deus!
That's is fact, Rosa, you can't cover the sun with your hands.
However I will contact everytime I feel like. Of course always inside
the canons of civility and respect.
I wasn't born yesterday. And I've been dealing with Capoeira since
the time your parents were thinking about conceiving you.
Rosa menina, Menina Rosa, I'm not out to get you at all. And, I would
like you to succeed but above all, I demand, yeah, I demand you to do a
respectable work.
We are playing social Capoeira, and in Capoeira you know that you don't
block, you flow or dodge.
But, bottom line if you want to be left alone, start doing things right,
if do know learn, but don't teach people half truths. You can fool some
people sometimes, but you can fool all the people all the time. I've offered
help with the music. If really had learn and practiced, by know you should
be playing berimbau with Philharmonic. Get at the U, and learn Portuguese,
go spend sometime in Bahia, or in Sao Paulo, or Cuiaba.' Prepare yourself
to don't leave holes in your Ginga(atitude). In other words don't be bogus,
or a false-pretender, an impostor. And you should be doing it for free,
if not is fraud.
If you recall once when you came to our Quilombo, I asked you with
taught you're qualified for the task, Do you remember you answer?
It's basics, You don't like me, or you're afraid, you think I'm a voodoo
priest (hahaha). I didn't start Capoeira last night as you, and you like
or not I'm established, and I know what I'm doing. I'm not guessing.
Is up to us to make things better.
Thank you again for writing to me, and thanks for give me the opportunity
to express my taught directly to you.
As far talking to Loka. I don't is pertinent given that we supposed
to meet when he was in town, but he let me down. And is you who is not
doing Justice to Capoeira, Loka is allowing only.
nuff respect, that Exu open your paths and your mind.
I hope you read this with a open heart, and understand me a little
bit better. I don't want to be your enemy.
Yours,
Yoji Senna
www.abcapoeira.com
with the beat on the feet since 1974.
rosa escreveu, *rosa wrote - replyed - to Yoji:
I am respectfully asking again, please leave us alone. We want only to train capoeira in peace, under the direction of our own master.
Please do not contact me. I am not interested in receiving email from anyone except Mestre Loka regarding our training of capoeira.
Please do not contact our students. If any of the CapuraGinga students are interested in joining your school, they know how to contact you.
If you have anything further to discuss, please direct it to Mestre Loka.
Thank you,
-Rosa
----- Original Message ----- From: "J C" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001
Subject: JC + Fred Abreu @ "sombra (deus?!) tem a mesma cor"
Dear historian Frederico (Fred) Abreu <[email protected]>
(*Fred works at Instituto Mauá do Pelourinho in Salvador city,
Bahia-Brazil)
Fred, I would like to comment on your text - galanteria da capoeira - politeness of Capoeira.
Firstly, I refer to the use of the word "AFRO" that you are employing to promote our Brazilian culture that evolved in the land of indigenous South American inhabitants invaded and disrespected by other races and cultures! Do you understand what I mean?!
What do you mean by officially claiming Capoeira as an "Afro-Bahian" [ tradição afro-baiana ] tradition? Why employ a North American "label" to promote South American culture? What can this attitude add to help evolve our already disrupted Brazilian nation and Capoeira 2000?! Do YOU have any social, political or religious relationship with the use of this "afro" to define the 'Wisdom (sabedoria) of the Brazilian Capoeira Culture' with the "apartheid ideals" that some US citizen employ either to conquer a better social and spiritual position in their society , or simple, that may be in fact the case of the Afro-label on Capoeira, to capitalize more product and perform their cultural "yank imperialism" to control and sell other... = ?!? (note: "sabedoria" - wisdom is also the subject on Fred's article)
According to folk saying one that "vote/ginga" Capoeira is a capoeirista = Yes, indeed! Therefore, if you are born, "ginga" your life and vote in BR YOU (your culture) must be acknowledged as Brazilian. America is America! Africa is Africa and therefore... culturally playing Capoeira, an "Aborigine" is also a human being, isn't it?! What mean to Be an Australian in 2000? At such "Olympic" celebrations we are an agglomerate of different race and culture... -- yet... to be "labelled" = ?! Ye$$, if BR want to follow the "Afro-American" game, I guess that other (...) human (...) could label themselves, their passports, their culture, etc, and officially promote themselves like this, for example: Yes, I was born, I play my "ginga" and my vote is to US since decades but (...) I am sorry to say Mr Bush (...) don't call me American but label myself as Chin-American, Cub-American, Eur-American, Jud-American... etc -?! What about the outcome of this conflicting "Capoeira Babel Tower" game? What about Us in multi-racial Australia 2000?!
Perhaps, we should also consider the scientific fact that MAN kind first appeared in the African continent. If this is true that makes all of uS AfrO-man, or not?! Indeed, Capoeira is Life!
Why BR, Capoeira 2000, would follow such racist steps? Don't you have already enough "REAL" mess to deal with? Why add more human misery to our nation dividing our unique culture and people?
Fred, regarding this one <<fundadores da tradição afro-baiana de praticar capoeira >> [ founders of the tradition Afro-Bahian art form Capoeira ]. The diversity and cultural richness of the Brazilians is not a private property (business) of any special race or particular place in Brazil. The evolution of Capoeira took many phases and evolved in different places in Brazil. According to the history recorded by the European invaders we had at least three original points of reference to praise for the evolution of Capoeira in Brazil. We also must value the history and the Capoeira traditions cultivated in colonial Recife and Rio de Janeiro.
I agree Fred: "Capoeira is capoeira" - such great words from Mestre Caicara (in memoriam). I would like to endorse the contents of your article and state this proverb: "sombra (no planeta Terra) tem a mesma cor!" - [ shadows (in the Earth) have the same colour ] - both from an African "Orixa" or a Western God - isn't it true?!
*Note, at this point I most call you attention to the recent problems involving the new constitution of the Capoeira profession that is causing havoc in Brazil and will soon affect those "mestres" (professional) that are working outside BR but are associated with their masters, groups and federations based in Brazil. In brief, from June 30, 2001, everybody in BR (mestres) MUST have a Physical Education degree to practise the profession. It sounds like a bad joke, I know but, law is law! Unfortunately only a few % can have good education in Brazil. Check out my www.users.bigpond.com/SS.Jeronimo/CBC2000.HTML (Portuguese only) where I posted some debates regarding this issue or ask you local Capoeira teacher.
Fred, everybody, to me, the Ritual of Capoeira also means communication with each other. Capoeira is about love and respect to our next! Capoeira culture in 2000 must be shared to our communities without discrimination of race or religion.
The adoption of an "US-Afro label" doesn't fit or help to evolve Capoeira! Therefore, I can't agree with the adoption of the "cultural apartheid behaviour" from North American citizens to acknowledge our unique Brazilian culture and race.
Camarados, our nation and Capoeira must unify to progress. Let's follow on the footsteps of our heroes such as Zumbi and Palmares community, Lampiao, Chico Mendes, and others iconoclast martyrs to free ourselves from oppression.
Iee, da volta ao mundo... Yes, let's turn the world upside down mate, educate our kids and evolve our lives!
Axe'/Love to you!
Iconoclast JERÔNIMO CAPOEIRA
Jerônimo Santos Da Silva: Brazilian Citizen. Australian Citizen.
Professional Capoeirista.
----- Original Message -----
From: Mestre "Boca Rica" <[email protected]>To:
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2001 6:24 AMSubject:
Velhos mestres
A galanteria da capoeira -- *Por Frederico Abreu * -- by Frederico Abreu
(The wisdom of Capoeira is based within the teaching from the "old masters", the majority of "Negro" origin...)
A sabedoria da capoeira está fundamentada nos ensinamentos dos velhos mestres, todos eles negros ou quase negros. Que ela não seja vista como um conjunto esquematizado de conhecimentos coerentemente interligados. Se fosse >>>>
**NOTE: If you have interest on Fred's original text please ontact Fred Abreu on <[email protected]>.
Interesting thoughts bellow... let me also remind you all, non Brazilian
background, (including some BRs) about real Capoeira "fundamentos" (principles
and traditions)... since the name ZUMBI (and his real Capoeira way...)
is often forget, or even not considered by many so-called "mestres" (and
students) that pray for Capoeira everywhere: ZUMBI CAPOEIRA is the forefather
of Masters Pastinha, Bimba and many Brazilian "$laves" that after a while,
before fighting against "the mestre" (the government...) opressor... (??)
started promoting themselves as to B a: "mestre" = confusing isn't it?!
Yet, as you know well, Brazil is unfortunatelly a country of present illiteracy
and there are many people "graduated as mestre" that don't really know
what the word 'mestre' means. The meanings of the mestre word in Portuguese,
sometimes, in some books, are not the same as the meaning we have in other
languages, cultures. A Master (word) could mean a mestre (atitude) sometimes
or, in BR, just... the government REAL ($$) social way to oppress and discriminate
Capoeira?!
Therefore, I believe the best way to say what we are or became after
Zumbi and the real Capoeira ideals of the Palmares and other Quilombos
hidden Jungle communities were betrayed and discriminated. I guess, English
speaking, To Be or not To B, that we are in 2000 simple professional Capoeiristas.
We may individually one day became a 'Mestre' and master our own life,
and help to guide others to evolve. Yet, for this "dream" to come to reality
Globalised Capoeira in 2000 should 1st organize and unite (at least professionally)
to achive this goal... = Thus Capoeira is different for me in the living
ring of life!
Axe'!
Iconoclast professional JC - Sydney AUS 2000
----- Original Message ----- From: USA Capoeira <[email protected]>
To: J C Sent: Saturday, 1 April 2000
Subject: Re: roda?
> interesting way of putting it. Some times we are blind sided by what
we don't want to see or hear, for me to hear or rather interpit,
cause you didnt saqy this but I take it as this, That the game was made
by the government or rather instated to hide the war. But infact it was
a game before the goverment, and always will be a game. Did the music come
when the slaves came? The berimbau has origins from before the slaves travelled
to brasil. right now I am really tiered I am a marine and havent had much
sleep please for give me if its kinda broken. Lets llok at the game, Mestre
Bimba was the first teacher to have been eccepted by the government as
a legal school of capoeira(If I am incorrect please correct me). AND IT
WAS A GAME BEFORE HIM. If I remember the polititicians didnt modifie of
have any thing to do with capoeira except for the Guarda Negra, but they
did start using it as a way for people to vote for them in the early 40's,
sounds about right. Lets look at capoeira as whole the game the dance the
song, Before we have to play the same sad song that is played when a capoeirista
dieds in the roda. Dont ruin capoeira, dont be fooled or influenced by
others. Capoeira is life and life is different for evry one, Thus capoeira
is different for me.
AXE CAMARRA
Global Capoeira...
On Friday, 31 December 1999, Paul <[email protected]> wrote...
<Dear Audrey and Jeronimo, Two corrections: I think it gives the wrong impression to say that I am a graduated student - most people think that means contre mestre or mestre - I am neither. I was promoted to a teaching level by Preguica. >
Regarding these matters of martial belts, mestre/master... etc,
Doesn't matter if you display a colourful white or black belt. What matters to our 2000 Capoeira Global World is the quality of the work teachers (including you) are promoting with Capoeira!
I would like to suggest you (just as a fellow iconoclast capoeirista) that the meaning you are giving to your teaching style <Though I teach an aggressive style doesn't fit with Capoeira. I believe that you are focussing on teaching a kind of 'violent style' of Capoeira, and that fits with U$ - humans of course! In fact, it fits to help people ($laves that after working all day long) release the aggression that they accumulated during a working day... -- Are you then ritualizing Capoeira inside the academy Gym?! Yet, you mean that Virtual Capoeira is not a Ritual?! Confusing?! By, the way, since you mentioned that my Virtual Roda is
<The ritual of capoeira is created through the words, music, community, individuality, and action. This virtual roda exists only through words which cannot recreate a ritual. > * By the way, I already had similar remarks made by our fellow capoeirista (mestre) Mao Branca of Grupo das Gerais in Brazil (I published it in my newly self published Book Capoeri@ Internet, ©1999) — Let's then meditate about it again, with iconoclastic virtual ginga:
What's RITUAL...?!
Paul, Global Capoeira let's imagine ZUMBI and those $laves who invented Capoeira in colonial BR (remarking such Capoeira traditions... Ritual?) talking about our modern Capoeira way (ritual?) inside the academy Gym...?! You are contradicting yourself brother 'cause if the Virtual Roda does not contain a ritual form... what about this "belted" idea of graduating Capoeira in life that you guys (Regional system based) follow and pray for?! The Virtual Roda is a Ritual as it is anything else in Capoeira... including (as you now say) Camisa (Abada Capoeira group) that graduates the girls...??... I remember well your previous thoughts, when you stated saying that [Me. Camisa is a very smart guy, one who prays for the "supermarket Capoeira idea" ...] - do you remember it?! *(Also published at Capoeir@ Internet)
Now Paul says that: <...yet Mestre Camisa is the only master I am aware of that has graduated women students (Edna in New York and Marcia in San Francisco).>
Paul, I would like to tell you (professionally speaking Capoeira, you should already know it brother) that there are other capoeiristas (women) being graduated by other masters. Paul, I am telling you this fact just in the case - not to mention others - Mestra Maria Pandeiro (she lives in Bremen, Germany) hears what you say... ??!! - Ye$$... there are other girls that graduated as mestra/master but also we have lots of babble talk (remarks) about the same girls/mestras - I believe we are missing the REAL belt to graduate respect! My position on this matter is clear: if you are teaching Capoeira, if you get paid to do so, doesn't matter if you are a man or women, you are a Master (professional) of Capoeira! Like other professionals, we have responsible and irresponsible ones, GoOd to follow and bAd ones... to "Master Schwartzennegar" slay inside these Holy-wood churches... ??! Iee, viva meu Deus camara! -- ??!!
Also... let's US meditate on your previous remarks about me and my Virtual Roda:
<at first I found your capoeira via Internet a bit absurd but, on second though, realizing that capoeira is life and capoeiristas are always playing capoeira I applaud your attempts. This media has already been colonized and claimed by the capitalists who base human value on monetary standards. Any effort to subvert this process is appreciated.> --- Pau, I received it on Tuesday, 19 January 1999.
I like to hear what you stated before Paul. I believe Zumbi, Che, such iconoclast (Capoeira) warriors would play the same Capoeira (Internet) way (Rituals) in 2000. What's RITUAL anyway?!
< I do not give up, I continue to teach and try to show an alternative to the students who come to my classes with open minds. But I do not expose myself unnecessarily. >
Paul, can't blame you for not be opening your Capoeira (academy) Rituals to others, particularly such aggressive capoeiristas (like your own master?!) that aim to destroy the Ritual of Capoeira: family! I insist: we must clean our gardens from the unproductive (irresponsible) seeds!
Paul, I support your words when you say you'll not give up to educate with Capoeira. Thank you for playing with Us in the Virtual Roda.
Axe'/love and prosperity to you and the Capoeira you promote to fellow US brothers and sisters.
You are now out of my list!
J C
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
<[email protected]> Date: Friday, 31 December 1999 2:46
Subject: adeus,
adeus, bom voyage
Dear Audrey and Jeronimo,
Two corrections: I think it gives the wrong impression to say that I am a graduated student - most people think that means contre mestrre or mestre - I am neither. I was promoted to a teaching level by Preguica. I have disassociated with him and have gone back to wearing a white cord which, in the Senzala/ABADA/Omulu academies is the beginning level. Though I teach an aggressive style that recognizes that Capoeira is, among other things, a martial art, there has never been a serious injury in the seven years that my group, Omulu Capoeira Sul has been in existance. I think that this makes it pretty clear that I am not what you would term "violent".
I appreciate that an iconoclast can recognize another iconoclast at work - often we get so passionate in our attempts to show that there is another way of looking at things that we don't see that we can't have the whole picture and someone else can point that out to us. I believe you are both far more optimistic than I am. I content myself with my students and try very hard to not deal with other, unknown capoeiristas. I know this cuts off possibilities of beautiful rodas full of new energy but I have witnessed too many times the ugliness inside and outside of the roda... I don't blame capoeira, I blame humankind. The politics, the territoriality, the brutality are all part of humankind. The Christians Crusades and Inquisitions to spread the love of Christ, Stalin's pogroms in the name of Marx's classless society, the bloody guillotine to promote the French Revolution's brotherhood and liberty. the petty politics that I have witnessed at every college, high school and elementary school have convinced me that every time you get a group of people together you are going to have the same thing: cruel actions to tip the balance of power. I do not give up, I continue to teach and try to show an alternative to the students who come to my classes with open minds. But I do not expose myself unneccessarily.
I have decided to discontinue with this virtual roda. The ritual of capoeira is created through the words, music, community, individuality, and action. This virtual roda exists only through words which cannot recreate a ritual. Capoeira is what Victor Turner termed a liminal activity. It exists in the cracks; it is neither this nor that; it cannot be defined by one definition. When my students ask if capoeira is a game or a fight, I answer "yes". ABADA gets criticized (and I think there is some justification in this) for overemphasizing the martial side of capoeira yet Mestre Camisa is the only master I am aware of that has graduated women students (Edna in New York and Marcia in San Francisco). Capoeira is a paradox. This exchange of words through a stream of electrons in an attempt to say what capoeira can or can't be is as fruitful as trying to pin down a ray of sun.
Please Unsubscribe.
Paul "Gigante"
-----Original
Message-----
From: Jeronimo Santos
Da Silva To: theme <[email protected]>
Date: December
13, 1999 10:06 PM Subject: Re: Fw: virtual deception
Dear Calada, I appreciate your reply. I disagree with you. I think me and Paul are doing the best we can to improve Capoeira. People have the right to argue in issues and have different views if this is part of a big picture in living Capoeira, life. Imagine a relationship (father and daughter, wife & husband) without this "arguing over details" that you mean...? Also, people (you, the world) only learn what they choose to learn, if they want. Me and Paul may have (share) some similar ideas but we also have different ways of promoting what we believe is to be right to improve Capoeira. By the way, I would like to say again that I enjoy to play with Paul. He is one of the few (in many graduated Capoeiristas in the US) that speaks out and brings good topics for us to discuss.
JERÔNIMO CAPOEIRA - Sydney, AUS
-----Original
Message-----
From: theme <[email protected]>
To: Jeronimo Santos Da Silva Cc: Paul <[email protected]> Date:
Monday, 20 December 1999 6:09 Subject: Re: Fw: virtual deception
Dear Mr. Santos
I appreciate hearing
so many different opinions because of your website and mailing list, of
capoeiristas all over the world. However, I am extremely saddened with
the bickering that I also hear. I find this ironic, because both you and
Mr Paul Zmolek, began talking with one another because you had a similar
point of view. Now both of you are arguing over details, instead of joining
forces and bringing on a better capoeira vision to
the world, for everybody
to learn from. Shame on both of you!
Calada
Dear fellow capoeiristas around the world,
general community,
I would like to forward this translation of a Portuguese letter. Lately, we have been playing Capoeira Internet, the Virtual Roda, and some of these subjects are not being promoted to you, English speakers. I feel that as a matter of respect I should inform you about some of our debates. This one may Be in your interest because you are capoeiristas or hold some particular interest in Brazilian culture, sports, dance, music, religion, etc. As follows...
August 1, 1999
To ABCapoeira newspaper Editor, E-mail <[email protected]>, global capoeiristas and general community.
I've just received in Sydney the July edition, No. 16, of the ABCapoeira, The Voice of Capoeirista. This monthly publication comes from the city of S. Paulo and aims to educate the Brazilian community and inform about Capoeira. I would like to send them my congratulations for such great work to the evolution of Capoeira and people in Brazil.
According to ABCapoeira's master editor Mr. Carlos Gonçalves the newspaper is designed to keep the community informed about all the aspects of modern Capoeira by forwarding the information they receive without being involved with any particular Capoeira style, masters, groups and associations. This is very good to Capoeira, indeed!
I would like to briefly outline what is happening with this edition:
Firstly editor Carlos has given a significant "chamada" (call) to masters and authorities (federations, etc.) that are responsible for the promotion of formal rules and the organization of Capoeira in Brazil. Particularly regarding the mess situation of belts (cordél) and use of an uniform (abadá pants) promoted for those who are claiming that Capoeira is a (martial) sport - ?! This subject brings out lots of polemic and discriminations inside our Capoeira circle, not only in Brazil but also everywhere where the art (sport) is being promoted! The result of this controversy is that even in Australia, a very organized and peaceful place to live, we have been disturbed by such negative aspects of this non-professional Capoeira atitude. But, according to the words of the majority of our professional Capoeira masters living in Australia we are decided to unite our Australian Capoeira (?) working seriously to help evolve our lives. I deeply hope that we can achieve it!
Then we have Master Rosa and his Baraúna Capoeira group (around 4000 Capoeira students) from a small country town of S. Paulo, Mojí das Cruzes, featuring in this edition. Master Rosa reports the ABCapoeira that: "this idea of the use of an exclusive white coloured pants to identify and promote Capoeira (Regional style?) doesn't have any traditional ground and nobody can prove or certify its reason to be!" Master Rosa explains that he promotes his modern Capoeira tradition by using 3 different colors in his sport Capoeira graduation system: the white pants to graduate beginners, black to general training and red pants (representing the blood of the slave that created and fight Capoeira in the past) to graduate his advanced and masters students. He remarks saying that even Masters Bimba and Pastinha, model of modern Capoeira, never used one sole colour to train Capoeira - (?!) and continues saying: Why should cappoeiristas follow a so-called "Capoeira tradition" which has no official accredited historical meaning? Because of this atitude, Master Rosa denounced to the ABCapoeira that he and his students have been discriminated against in some sport events (competitions, batizados) of Capoeira in Brazil!
I believe it is a sad reality to hear that we humans are discriminating against ourselves!
In fact, if people want to classify the ritual of the Brazilian $lave as a "Sport art form" why are they not following in the footsteps of those professional athletes who are the winners in the ring of life?! Soccer, for example ! Why not?! The Brazilian soccer players are winners, 'cause they are organized. Yet each soccer team uses a different color when competing and promoting their events. Ronaldo, Romario, King Pelé, in between many others, are winners... and rich! Why am I proclaiming that we Capoeiristas are looser?! Simple, our Capoeira is divided and disorganised! But by following this successful model idea of winner we would certainly get better Capoeira (quality) to everybody and help control this segregation and discrimination to our brothers and sisters. Isn't it true?! By the way, Capoeira in the past, in Bahia, had lots in common with the use of colours of a soccer team. Some of our well-known masters, including master Pastinha, loved to use the colours of their beloved soccer team. I believe you know that the reason why some "traditional" capoeiristas (groups of angoleiros) use an yellow & black traditional uniform (?) is because the Ipiranga soccer team Pastinha loved in Salvador dressed with these colours?
Back to Master Rosa and the "colour" game, he stated that he prefers to use the black pants for general Capoeira training because "black" can hide better the dirt from our intense work with Capoeira. (We know well that a good skilled capoeirista must 'hide" its art from the opponent oppressor... isn't it true?!). I agree with him (see p.72 of my Capoeira $lave Ritual - ©1995) and add that the $REAL$ pricee capoeiristas in Brazil have to pay to keep their white abadá pants clean can be very high... even deadly?! Do you have any idea how much it costs for a poor, the Brazilians, to buy a single box of OMO washing machine detergent?! Mate, it costs lots of their so-called 'REAL' money! These products in Brasil are made by the rich to serve only the rich!
Anyway, I believe mestre Rosa is very fair (does he want to help the poor people, capoeiristas in Brazil?) with his decision of using the black pants. In ("real") fact, this atitude could be helping the majority of poor Brazilian capoeiristas to save some Real $$ while they are rehearsing Capoeira. Later it will suit also to "buy the OMO ritual" to help wash and fix their social problems (?) — including the white pants abadá, if they want to (or have to?!) participate in some of these Capoeira batizado events restricted promoted to those who are devotees of the "dress only white" uniform game. Is this a kind of social discrimination promoted (hidden) in this "ritual" to segregate the Capoeira family? This could be a good topic for U$ all to meditate -?! Particularly to the Brazilians playing with their lives in such Real (poor) Roda de Capoeira in Brazil, or this present disgusting social situation that they so submissively accept from their corrupted mafiosi ma$ters politicians!
Another controversy was generated when the ABCapoeira published a notice regarding the graduation of 21 year old Reinaldo Ferreira de Morais as a Capoeira master. To begin, Reinaldo was graduated as a teacher (professor) when he was only a 10 year old kid. Following the game some Masters and Capoeira federations did not agree with Reinaldo's graduation and criticized the ABCapoeira. The Editor Carlos Gonçalves replied and stated that the newspaper is not responsible for regulating Capoeira but the masters and associations, federations are the sole responsible for organizing Capoeira and that they should look after this mess. Mr. Carlos finishes saying that the journal is just doing its job and informing the Brazilian community. They don't accept any formal responsibility for the undersigned articles they receive and publish. Well done Carlos and ABCapoeira!
Then comes another subject, another polemic game: The Evangelic Capoeira! This time is Master Marinho, president of the Liga Diademense de Capoeira (an official listed congregation of Capoeira groups in S. Paulo) that provides certificates to graduated capoeiristas. He declares that he was discriminated against in the church he now follows just because he was a capoeirista - ?! Can you believe it?! — For me, God andd Capoeira are simple synonyms of education and love/respect to everyone!
After all that (odd... news?!) I brought to your attention, the simple question remains: Where are the real Capoeira masters, students, groups and organizations responsible to set rules to Capoeira that really want to work seriously to help develop, educate and evolve our lives with the practise of the art (martial sport) of Capoeira?! I sincerely hope that we do have some left! 'Cause if the Capoeiristas can organize themselves professionally as a group, team, union, etc., this atitude can be very beneficial to help evolve the social and spiritual life of everybody. Particularly if the Brazilians decide to start using their Capoeiran martial sport skills to fight against the corruption they now have and to graduate their ridiculous minimum wage salary they accept from their Real Masters without a proper fight. At this point, I would like to add an Axé to iconoclast Zumbi and the Palmares community. Comrades, we should follow their ideals of Freedom and community unification. Capoeira to Zumbi and the quilombo communities was a fight against corruption and oppression!
Unfortunately Mr. Carlos Gonçalves, I believe that most of the masters and legal Capoeira authorities that you mentioned in the ABCapoeira, regarding your call for the organization and better regulations of the whole art, are mainly interested in the promotion of the sporty competition aspect (style?) of Capoeira. There's is a lack of an official support for the many other branches that we have in this huge cultural "tree" called Capoeira. Such unfortunate waste we have not using the wider resources (styles?) of our unique and rich '$lave Ritual' to heal our distressed lives! Pitiful, indeed!
It makes sense however that in Brazil they decided to promote the ritual as a sport, due to the development of the Capoeira Regional style and lately the formalization of Capoeira at the Uni curriculum to graduate students in the Physical Educational profession. Yet, Capoeira was originally introduced overseas to the 'gringos' with the dance companies and acrobatic show business style. It was manly through the cultural aspect of the Brazilian art that we started promoting Capoeira outside Brazil. By the way, in spite of such global "sport style" promotion to Capoeira the majority of capoeiristas that are flying away from Brazil to venture overseas are only able to graduate their lives (by obtaining a 'Green Card' belt, for ex.?!) commonly due to their exposure with Capoeira as a Brazilian cultural art form initially performed in the cultural stage, not in the sports arena - ?!
Finally, we know well that in spite of the good work provided for many, educators, there are many irresponsible people in our circle promoting turmoil and Ego competitions in our rodas and events of Capoeira, in Brazil and elsewhere. This is just a sad picture of such social human decadence! To improve this situation what we all need to do is 'simple' to play Capoeira with respect to each other in the ring, the roda. Doesn't matter if we call Capoeira a Sport or an Art form, etc., adjectives. What really matters at the end of our lives and to begin graduating mankind's social and spiritual decadent situation is simply to pray and practise Respect. Why are we insisting to fight against US?! Perhaps, this (silly) question will find a REAL answer someday, perhaps, in the next roda... in 2001? I think that the solution to this problem just depends on each individual choice: To be or not To B Capoeira? Simple let's play Capoeira with respect, to educate our kind!
I finished my letter sending my Axé to Carlos Gonçalves and the ABCapoeira for the excellent work done providing education to the Brazilians by informing people about the culture and unique rituals of "Total Art" Capoeira.
Thank you folks for the time you spend in reading this letter. Please forward it to others from your community, Capoeira groups, etc.
Axé/ Love to you.
JERÔNIMO CAPOEIRA