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Mestre Pastinha stated:

Decânio Filho, a student from Mestre Bimbas' school since 1938, is advising us:

I would like to improvise with a ladainha by "master" composer & rock singer Raul Seixas:

Sincerely

I would like to report an dishonorable incident that happened in a Capoeira Performance (Roda) in Sydney on April 19.

The person in charge of this Capoeira event was Mr Edval Dos Santos (also known as "Boa Morte") from Salvador Bahia. Edval who lives in Melbourne came to Sydney to "graduate" in a Batizado some of his Capoeira students who attend classes with his brother Edney dos Santos in Sydney.

Some of the capoeiristas who participated in this presentation came from overseas. A "mestre Ousado" coming from London and Amem Dos Santos from Salvador, Bahia — who demonstrated Capoeira in the American film 'Only The Strong' —?! Amem currently lives in Los Angeles.

To get to the crux of this letter I would like to introduce myself as one of the latest "victims" coming from the non-professional and violent way some individuals who often are called "mestres de Capoeira" (??) are performing and promoting Capoeira in the 20th cybernetic century. And yet these so called "masters" don't know how to behave properly and perform their profession (the Capoeira Job!) without the due respect for the community they should work for and represent.

It was like a bad joke. With me at the brunt or it! I returned back from Brazil on April 18th where I had spent 6 weeks enjoying Capoeira in many different places and so-called "dangerous" situations (such as favelas - slums) but alas it was here in Australia that I found myself in the stupid (and dangerous) situation which I am going to describe for you.

The next day (Sunday afternoon) I was invited by "mestre" Amem to join the Roda and play a game with him. He then intentionally kicked my right eye. We didn't have time to play or "demonstrate" anything in the Roda. His only intention was to compete against me and show off as the "Only The Strong" — mestre de Capoeira?! It was a dirty game he decided to "share" and present to our happy community.

Next, I spent 48 hours in an Emergency Ward in a Hospital where I had to have my eye operated on. I was very luck that my vision wasn't robbed due to Amem's "Strong" and stupid kick!!

The unscrupulous incident happened in front of the public who were participating in the clapping and singing part of the performance. Children and families were shocked by such a vicious Capoeira presentation. My own daughter Marina was there (7 years old). She cried and was scared with the scene she had to witness: blood spiting from my eye area all over my face!!

No apologies! The "mestre Amem" did not give me any excuse or tried to explain the reason why he decided to kick instead of "play" Capoeira with me. I had never meet him before. Later while in the Hospital, I've heard that he "flew early" the following day back to LA!

After my eye surgery I took a few days to rest and fortunately I could follow through with my professional work schedule. I flew to Canada, Vancouver, where I participated in "Axé Capoeira" Marcos Barrão's Batizado. After that I went to the USA (Iowa and San Diego) where I performed Capoeira workshops for those communities. My eye is nearly 100% OK! Axé!!

This letter was sent to many individuals as well as cultural Brazilian institutions (Embassy and Consulate), newspapers, etc., all over the world. My aim is to help stop such decadent acts of conduct practiced by incompetent "professional mestres de Capoeira" — working with Capoeira in the 20th Century and yet living it with "such" colonial disgusting manners.

Such irresponsible people are often walking away unpunished and don't even take any responsibility, yet alone Legal Responsibility on the poor way they promote the Artful form of Capoeira. Consequently, this kind of non-professional attitude and selfish behavior only helps to segregate more our already distressed Capoeira community with its many distinctive groups playing their own games in their own political arena.

Finally, this situation adds a shameful mark of dishonor to the respected name of the Brazilian community everywhere!

In doing so, I also would like to encourage other capoeiristas to come out and speak publicly (and notify the legal authorities) about similar negative incidents that may occur inside their Capoeira groups and communities. Let us unite and work together to educate our Capoeira games (and upgrade the profession of "mestre") towards the Olympic apocalyptic Year 2000.

Let's SAY NO TO VIOLENCE! People should have fun and evolve their spirits (get fit!) playing with Capoeira!! Masters and students of Capoeira are demanded to continue to learn in the ring of life!

Axé and thank you all!!
 

Iconoclast J C

**There are other letters in Portuguese if you want to read. To check   ^Português  click here. To ready my reply to some of the letters bellow, follow the... ^GAME

----- Original Message -----
From: J C  Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 11:59 AM

Subject: Re: Wat exactly is the truth? # Capoeira isnt <capoeria> to begin with JC...
 

Dear J.T. Singapore <capoeria> student of I don't know what kind of "mestre"... <capoeria> ?????????!!!

    Thank you for your attention. I believe you are wrong when you say that in the "world of Capoeira" (which one?) you are nothing. You are someone, that must be respect... and respect others! The rest of this bla-bla-bla, don't worry about "belts" that people display in the cat walk...! And YOU are also wrong when you think that people ("mestres" ?! that you imply... ) don't like me. In real fact, They may LOVE me mate... - confused?  They are also despising aanyone that can LOVE Capoeira - more confusion?  Indeed, some are a disgrace to Capoeira and a shame to our profession, and shame to BR.

    As for you, so naive, playing <capoeria>, well, I would say to begin your ginga that I can teach you the right spell of Capoeira since such "mestres" can't do the proper job. Then... don't kick back anyone in the "balls" like you stated bellow they teach you, live it to girls that can't play Capoeira. Mandingueiro/a play CAPOEIRA like Pastinha, Bimba - others alike... with Mandinga and Malicia, don't you learnt it yet?! Well, I can also suggest that you look after yourself regarding playing Capoeira with people that were born and raised in a jungle - a real one - and do not need to be credited <capoeria> by... "so-called" = FAKE me$tre ?!

    What else can we teach someone that learn Gym moves in an academy and think is playing/living Capoeira? I can't blame you, I would rather educate you, yet, I can advise you to be aware of what you learn (pay) aware of "people" that are misleading your life = Capoeira is your life, and you can make choices if you want to grow! You may read my books to learn more about the REAL history of my people and my BR culture, learn Capoeira from Zumbi and Lampiao ideals and play/live it in 2000.

    Anyway, you are ok to begin the game...  @ < a disgrace to capoeira being punished by capoeira seems to be apt. > Yes@$$$ mate... I am doing well... c@N't you see IT?!

    Axe' to you! Welcome to our Rod@! I like to play Capoeira with people that believe they are something... else... I teach them to respect Capoeira... TO BEGIN... then... da volta ao mundo camara!!!!

Mestre/Master professional Capoeirista Jeronimo Capoeira
ROD@ VIRTUAL: <www.users.bigpond.com/SS.Jeronimo>

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeremiah <[email protected]> To: J C
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 5:22 AM
Subject: Wat exactly is the truth?

Well, in the world of capoeira, I can be considered as nothing. I am an ungraded student of capoeira in Singapore. No doubt you would use this as a point against me and claim that I do not know anything, but my opinions are based on simple facts that even a non capoerista can understand.

You use some of your positive points to refute others. For example, you use your anti violence viewpoint to hit out against Miss Lúcia Palmares, accusing her of being an "adept of violence". She has not claimed to embrace violence in the way that you would imply. Yet, this has nothing to do with the main issue, and you use it simply to discredit those that would speak against you.

You claim that the ancient style of capoeira was practised by slaves under colonial invaders. I quote "Are you suggesting I should play and act like some kind of stupid minded Brazilian $lave in 2000. It has been nearly 500 years since Brazilians are selling all they have including their unique culture, selling the REAL Capoeira game to master FMI!" This strikes me as surprising since you seem to be wanting to sell your books, your "ideas", capoeira instruments on the most powerful form of media that the "colonial masters" have ever invented. the internet. You feel that you are above the old capoeira style, and that it is outmoded and so on. For every martial art that you practised, one has to think of the roots of the martial art and remember the traditions. Capoeira IS a martial art, not a joke. Yet you seem determined to act the clown by insulting the martial tradition of capoeira. If you despise the traditions of capoeira so much, if you want to treat capoeira as a game or a dance rather than a martial art, than you should not even consider practising capoeira. Go find another martial art that you can ideally use to express your "peaceful" ideas. You insult capoeira with your cheap comments, insulting the founders of capoeira, and no, your usage of the english language does not impress me. Neither does your "iconoclast capoeirista" view. Your quoting of great men of history as iconoclost capoeiristas is a GREAT joke.
What they believed in were their own religions or own teachings, not capoeira. Please do not insult the great ancient ones such as ghandi, jesus christ and Martin Luther King jr. As I said, there is no way for compromise. Accept capoeria in its complete form, or give it up "mate".

What is the truth? The answer is simple actually. Many other capoeira mestres despise you. They feel that you are a disgrace to the martial art that they have devoted their life to. You insult their culture, their heritage. Do you wonder why Mestre Amem would kick you in the eye? Well, I don't know the true reason behind it, but the probable reason is as stated by some others who mailed in their letters. " In capoeira, someone may get hit by a mestre in a roda if they deserve it through arrogance or misbehaviour." Amem is reknown as a powerful capoeira mestre, he would not have to kick you to increase his "prestige" or to show off that he is "only the strong". Don't say that he is violent. Hey, everyone can become violent if there is a reason. No one would kick you without any reason to, and for me, hell..If someone insults my culture, my heritage, my work and my life, I would kick him in the eye and probably in the balls too. I'm not saying that Capoeira is meant to be insanely violent and i love hardcore blood fights ( as I believe that you would try to insinuate about me ), rather, all I am saying is that violence occurs when there is a need for it. For even the gentlest of people believe that the evil-doers should be punished for what they do wrong. In this case, a disgrace to capoeira being punished by capoeira seems to be apt.

And the one question that you constantly avoid. You love to dance around this question. So I dare you to answer this straight up, a proper answer, and don't beat around the bush with ridiculous rhetoric. A simple statement of names or groups will do, a straight answer. Which esteemed master did you learn your game from? Who taught you capoeira. Who graduated you and made you a qualified teacher? Is your mestre a known and accepted one? Where did you get your skills from? Well, you seem to be unable to answer this one all the time. Perhaps one of the reasons that people despise you and feel that you are a disgrace to capoeira is because you declared yourself a mestre. Hell, anyone can do that and later claim that their lack of skills does not imply that they are not a mestre. The main concern here, is that if you are NOT a qualified mestre, than all your students may be learning something potentially wrong. You distorted the truth and meaning of capoeira, and you discredit those who are against you. Words be damned, can you escape the truth that is stronger than the words, that you are just a FAKE? If you can, answer me and post this up. Now, "mate", this is what I call a rasteira kick. Your virtual roda is nothing but a simple debate, and in no way proves that you are "capoeira". Your great moves in the "true spiritual deep hidden meaning" of capoeira, are simple words of english. You want to use capoeira to fight greater things? well too bad, capoeira is a martial art form, not ur own "religious movement".

J.T

p.s: Answer the question, or your virtual eye would get busted. Others try to be nice and not write too strongly, but since you're
      the great mestre in this fake virtual roda, I guess I should do my best to "beat" you with my "strongest" kick.
 

Dear Mr Raus, (Roda Virtual)

Thank you for writing and playing (sharing your views) Capoeira with US...

I will fw your message to the English list side of our Rod@, perhaps others will respond you (if they fell so) regarding your comments bellow and 'suggestions' on  Capoeira, J C, etc.

Iee, camara, let's play... firstly Raus, where are you writing from? Who is your teacher? It would be good to know a lit bit more about you and about your Capoeira education, so it would make sense to respond (or just ignore) some of your moves.

I guess you (others outside BR) are not aware of what's going on with the way Capoeira is progressing in BR, regarding its official representation  as a sport. Such changes will affect you soon, since you are connected with masters and groups that are linked to masters and federations in BR, particularly to begin those playing with Capoeira Regional.  The subject in BR is the so called ' Lei 9696 de 02 de Setembro de 1998 ' (Capoeira LAW 9696, September 1998).  I suggest that you ask your teacher about it, if you have interest in this new professional Capoeira - 2000 game?!

Raus, regarding your criticism about the way I play with my HP to educate and help organise Capoeira, I believe you can have your opinion and I have mine. Yet, it's not only J C that says: < "delinquent" capoeiristas must be banned from the roda" > - many masters, both from Angola and Regional, Federations and the CBC, the Brazilian Capoeira Confederation, say the same! What you want to justify with your words, the actions of irresponsible professional capoeiristas that promote disrespect and shame the name of Capoeira in Rodas and events in BR and outside?! The right to kick out your frustrations in a roda?! Or is it else what you want to say?!

Regarding your comments: < As much as the economic situation and the violence and horror that goes around in the world matters, I do not see how your use of all these issues in  your "virtual roda" helps to promote capoeira > - what could I say to help you see the real game I play? Perhaps remind you that every year the Jews (to mention some that are promoting against violence... ) keep on promoting ("war movies" including...)  to remind people of their fatal fate. You condemned my protest against violence saying that: < to set about protesting against your own fellow capoeiristas seems  very hypocritical to me > - Mate, what about people - like the Jews, that protest against their own human kind - would you then call they hypocritical too - ??!!

You should also apply in your life, before telling others, what you suggested bellow: < Accept the blows of life and the blows of capoeira and  take it in your stride, > !! The real Roda mate is about real life! Indeed, < ...or just stay out of the roda! > ??  I suggest you keep learning about how to play Capoeira in your life. The training that you are taking inside of a Gym academy is just a complement of the real CAPOEIRA RITUAL (A $lave Ritual ?! ) we all should live, share, respect and promote! I say again, No to Violence! Capoeira should not fight against Capoeira! Yet, let's clean our garden (roda) from non productive seeds!

Thankyou!

JERONIMO CAPOEIRA - Capoeirista Profissional. Sydney AUS 2000

  ----- Original Message ----- From: Raus Fila To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, 1 August 2000

  Hello,was just reading your site with interest  as much as I understand that violence is not exactly what everybody hopes to  look forward to in a game,is a roda not just like life itself?is capoeira  not just a sport?yeh it may be the national sport of brazil, but that never meant that capoeira has to become a "sport" defined by rules and regulations,is life determined by rules and regulations?You call for "delinquent" capoeiristas to be banned from the roda, but yet this attitude just seems to smell of egotism Capoeira is so undefinable and means many different things to different  people, to set about protesting against your own fellow capoeiristas seems very hypocritical to me.Was capoeira not used not just for a game,but even for fights in the past?No one likes to be kicked in a game,but one must always enter with caution and must be ready to expect the unexpected,is it  not true? As noble as your intentions are, I don't believe that it is right  to try to attack others in such a manner through your website,through trying to discriminate against them for their actions.
  As much as the economic situation and the violence and horror that goes around in the world matters,I do not see how your use of all these issues in your "virtual roda" helps to promote capoeira
  People are born different,people have different attitudes,people may be egotistical and may discriminate, but I do not see how you think that
  capoeira should be taught and learnt in only one way, that would not only be boring,that would be contradicting what capoeira encompasses,how capoeira reflects life itself.Accept the blows of life and the blows of capoeira and take it in your stride,or just stay out of the roda!

----- Original Message -----From: "Neil Bennun" <[email protected]> To: J C Sent: Thursday, 20 April 2000

 Axe:

 Just saw your website and your tirade against 'so  called masters', in which you included Mestre Ousado. I very sincerely hope that the inclusion of the quotes around the word 'Mestre' ("Mestre" Ousado) doesn't imply you don't consider my Mestre a 'true' master. For your information, Mestre has some thirty years experience in capoeira and regularly participates in the roda of the world's most respected Masters (most recently played Jaoa Grande jogo de dentre for 45 minutes in NY!). He is always greeted with very great appreciation when he comes back to Sao Paulo, where his 'home' school was founded some 27 years ago. His understanding of the spiritual and historical principles underpinning the jogo are impeccable and I have learned a vast amount from him. If you have not heard of him I can only conclude that your knowledge of capoeira isn't what it could be. If you're implying any disrespect, please take his name from your 'letter' immediately. If I have mis-interpreted your intentions, please accept my apologies.

 I would prefer you not to publish this e-mail on your site. Obviously I can't stop you.  BACK TO TOP

 Comradely,

 Neillie (Querequinha) -

From: RAMON A GARCIA <[email protected]> To: Jeronimo Capoeira Date: Sunday, 26 December 1999  Subject: Capoeira Violence

Hi, I was reading your web and I saw many protests to Amen.  I am not sure if Amen is the same person as Cesar Carneiro from the Movies "Only the Strong" and "The Quest", but based on the way these people are describing him, it sounds just like him.
I went to an event in Queens, NY, USA this year sometime in Sept. and what I saw was not justifiable.  Everyone was enjoying the capoeira game but when Cesar grabed an angola mestre from the neck and choked him so badly that I thought he was dead.  There was not reason whatsoever for this type of conduct.  The worst thing about it is that there were hundreds of people present during this Baptism and they all witnessed this type of violence. I truly was dissapointed by this conduct and all the love that I have for capoeira vanished completeley in a matter of seconds.  It took me a while (days) to recover from what I had seen that day and to understand that capoeira is not violent but the people who "play" it are.  In this case Cesar Carneiro, whom I believe live now in Los Angeles, CA.
Ramon - Coquito
Note: JC added this note (on green color) after forwarding this message about Coquito's introduction that were taken from previous Scott E-mail posted in this Web. Check out the link underlined of Mr Scott.

-----Original Message-----
From: RAMON A GARCIA <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, 28 December 1999 9:39
Subject: Re: Amem
Canhao,
I replied earlier today from my other hotmail account.  Now that I realize it, you have send me an email to [email protected].  I never gave this address to Jeronimo, I am surprised and amazed on how you obtained it.  I didn't want to reveal the name of my group but now you know it.  Anyway, this didn't happen in our batizado but one in Queens, New York.
                                                                                                                                       BACK TO TOP
Coquito,

Whose roda were you at when you saw Mestre Amen do his choke-hold, and whom received it? This was at Nacao Capoeira's Baptism and Mestre Deraldo from Boston, MA was the victim this time.  If you go to the "Batizado" link in the Nacao Capoeira website, I think that the guy in the last picture is him.  You can't really see his face. I again clarify that I do not know who Amen is; however, I do know that this person was Cesar Carneiro from Los Angeles, CA who participated in the movie "The Quest" and "Only the Strong". Hope the academy's OK.
Canhao

Hello there, sorry about the event that sparked the posting. I was not there, so I don't know what really happened, although we read the result. My comrade got his orbit smashed in a roda in NJ, USA by a disrespectful practitioner, but no student of any master in the USA, I have the event on tape and the impact was a fleeting fast event with many repercussions, but the roda did not stop, or the person apologize for sticking, or the person getting hit either. There is much bravado about dangerous aspects of Capoeira, however, no-one wishes to receive it. I have seen Mestre Capixaba beat on students, I have heard rumors of Mestre Dunga(?) teaching Capixaba a lesson for beating one of his students. Presumably, both are supposedly teaching lessons about life. But nothing is fair...
When we enter the roda, if we enter expecting gentleness and control, we are duping ourselves.  It's not there, instead we find people trying to beat others in a risky game, in which superiority of physical skill, or speed, or more resolute strategy will win.  The outcome is not necessarily injury, but to success in making someone weak, or exposed, or show off, or play well together with a partner, or against an opponent, but without consideration of the outcome.  Malice is not necessarily present, but competition in some form is, typically. The outcome of injury is similar to a person whether it is the result of an out-of-control movement or a strategy: A bruise or fracture has no thought or memory. Action equals responsibility. We go a pe do berimbau under no-ones actions but our own. I will not play with certain people when I don't think its a game. But then what is it? I have seen playful rodas turn different when certain mestres play, with differing intentions. Some masters play with a different mindset, some make auras of claiming to be Feticerios and carrying patuas, some reek of philosophy, some try to give off intellect.
Masters are not necessarily good people just because they are masters. There are still lesson to be learned and choices about what to learn, remember and pass on. Please understand, I am not trying to be superior or removed, (I am just an student, a working professional in mid-thirties. I will probably be no Cobrinha Mansa, but I am a person, just like many adepts don't think they are any more because they are Formados and mestres.) I am also not trying to lessen the personal impact - but I am and have been wrestling with what it is to play. Is it a game, or is it real. Is the personal jeopardy something to be feared, or just boasted about? If there wasn't peril, would people play? People die in rodas, people get hurt.  There are actions, resulting actions and ways of interpreting what happened. We can make rules and with superiority (seniority) can enforce them in the rodas we command, however that does not stop a foot.  And any rules we construct or project onto others are not necessarily accepted or agreed.
Its shitty and indistinct, its a problem, but the arrogance of people sometimes cannot be put aside.  Once again, I'm sorry about your injury, and I was glad to read that your are recovering.
Best regards
David, Canhao.

At the batizados I have participated in, the times I saw what you term "violence" was when one capoeirista had a grudge with another or sensed that a Brazilian capoeirista was being arrogant and needed to be taught a lesson. Based upon your website and rantings, I imagine that the second is the case. As you yourself wrote in your website "Capoeira is deadly".  I was taught by Mestre Preguica (who was trained and graduated by Bimba) and had it reinforced by other mestres that everything stays in the roda.  If you have a problem you deal with it in the next roda. Those who don't obviously are not complete capoeiristas who understand the spirit of capoeira. I have suffered several injuries in both angola and regional games and I have accepted it as part of capoeira. You got tagged, get over it. Your campaign against Amem and other  (as you term it) "so called masters" over the internet is doing nothing positive and only serves to lower your reputation.  To think that there is no "violence" in the roda is completely naive.  Because there are so few English language books on capoeira I was thinking about using it in the classes I teach.  Now I am sure I won't.

**NOTE: Check my response to Paul at the Capoeira Internet Game

Hi, Jerônimo, how are you? My name is Veronica, but Bonitinha is my Capoeira name. I play Capoeira with the Abadá Group near my house in NYC. I would like to know what's going on with this Capoeira internet game. I don't have much experience with other forms of Capoeira. I started learning Capoeira this year. I never heard about those killings in the roda before. I never experienced any form of violence in my classes. Could you tell me more about those violent games and the politics involving Capoeira. I really like to play Capoeira. Thank you.

-Bonitinha [email protected]

AXÉ Jeronimo! Have had someone email me regarding the Violence link on my page. They have this philosophy of"If you get hit it's your fault"Deal. And looking around I have noticed alot of ppl share this philosophy. And it is kind of sadding.  I think it creates a lack of resposibility for ones actions and it makes it easy for the "kicker" to coupe with his action by diverting the blame.  Ahhh!!! But this Philosophy that they speak of,"If you get kicked it is our fault" It is, in a sense, shxt!  Have you ever taken the time to think about this phrase?  It is like saying, "If I fire a gun at you and you get shot and die, it's your fault"?  or "If I start throwing these knives at you, and you get stabbed it's your fault." Those kinds of act with knives and guns are pointless acts of violence right?  It just leaves the person a lack of responsibility for their actions. Think of it this way, some guy comes up to you and says, "I'm sorry your mother/father/brother/sister (whatever) is dead, we were playing in the roda, and they couldn't play "my" game, and that ran into my foot and an incredible speed and they died, it was their fault."  I'm sure you would be very hurt and want some type of redemption for this stupid act of violence, or maybe you would go, "Oh well, I guess it was their fault, that's life."  I don't think so. I used to believe in that philosophy, but mine has definetly changed, there are accidents and those are easily recognized, we've all seen them.  But again, I must stress that the type of "accidents" that some "capoeiristas" demonstrate are a sheer act of violence nothing less. I do agree with what someone said to me and that was that ppl should be allowed to play whatever game they won't to,but NEVER do they have the right to injure me. They need to play against others who are aggressive like that.  But still they should be respectful. Think about and you tell me where want to see capoeira go. Capoeira is about evolution and fighting for a better cause, tell me what good will it do if we fight each other?  Where is the comradade in that? Capoeira never started out as a bloody street fight, it became that, because ppl were desperate and times were tough, but they have been learning that that is not the way. There should never be a reason for blood shed.  But together we can change all of that.  And I certainly hope that we do. I mean no offense to you but it is one of my kicks, if it hits you, hey! it's not my fault ;) Axê Camará!
*PS; Jeronimo I certainly hope that you post this on your site, it is a good kick I belive, and I hope it is a kick to the head, maybe it will get some ppl thinking. :)

The one and only -=Suspeito=-  <[email protected]>
--------------------

                                               Capoeira "JoGo da ViDA" HomePage
http://capoeira.home.ml.org http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Sideline/6699

From: ABADÁ CAPOEIRA ( BRASIL )   -  translation

Congratulations for your great  promotional and cultural work with Capoeira. I am a member of the Abadá Capoeira Group in Brasil and was very surprised with this ^{Protest Against Capoeira Abadá}! During the time I have been practicing Capoeira I NEVER saw anything in our way of training Capoeira that could be close to violence, disrespect and despotic leadership from our masters. We from Abadá follow the real fundament of Capoeira: respect and freedom! I believe this kind of protest would came from people and Capoeira groups without the proper training in the art. They are probably jealous about our work and the success we've achieved promoting Capoeira. They lie about us!Capoeira is only one for me, Angola or Regional styles, belts or graduations should not interfere with Capoeira itself. This kind of negative promotion on our art only helps to promote a bad image of Capoeira. Those capoeiristas who are protesting against Capoeira (Abadá) regrettably are only promoting against themselves.

Fernando Jorge "Boa Gente"
Colegio pinheiro guimaraes <[email protected]>

From: ABADÁ CAPOEIRA ( USA )   -  translation

Dear Jerônimo,

I can fell right there that you are going "deep playing"  in these matters ofhow to resolve the problems we're facing in Capoeira - discrimination!I agree with you and want "buy the game!" I've seen in your Web the way you show how Capoeira has been so poorly promoted, e.g., movies, protest, violence, masters without responsibility etc. I am the webmaster of the ABADÁ SP (http://members.xoom.com/ABADA/). You can rely on me to help find a solution to this problem. If you have an ICQ, my no. is  10850659... let's talk.... let's play Capoeira! Obrigado....

Anjinho.  <[email protected]>

From:  ABADÁ CAPOEIRA BRASIL -  translation
(Subject: your mistake)

My daughter  (Pedrita) <http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/1964/> practices Capoeira after 3 years and I am very happy with her performance in all the aspects. I believe you don't have the real knowledge of what people are saying about the ABADÁ Group. I participate with Pedrita in all batizados, encontros, classes etc., and never saw any act of violence to happens there.I am very proud of her and the Grupo Abadá.Mestrando Capixaba (master capixaba) loves the kids and they love him.I hate violence!!

Regards,  José Sérgio <[email protected]>

From: Scott Hacking ( USA )

Jeronimo:
I appreciate the letters you have posted on the web. I am a second year student of Capoeira, studying in Tucson, AZ with Anne Pollack (Luar do Sertao) and also with Dondi Marble (Enxu). I love Capoeira!! To me, Capoeira is a dream. Within the dream, each individual plays the game and struggles to assert his ideas and actions over the other. To "fight" is to destroy and to "dance" is to harmonize and appreciate the other's differences. Many argue over what capoeira is. That is up to each individual, ultimately. Beyond every detail, we must enter the roda with utmost respect , with the most humble nature, with the greatest love. These are some of the things I have learned, and I wanted to send them to you as an affirmation of how great Capoeira is. Axe to you!

Orsinho do Pelveia <[email protected]>

Jeronimo- Sounds like you are fortunate that your eye is o.k.... I am somewhat surprised to hear of this incident.  Amem does not strike me as the type of person who would purposefully injure someone or not apologize if it was an accident. However, this is a good reminder that capoeira is different things to different people and that upon entering the roda, one can never be too trusting. Capoeira will always be a game and a fight. Hopefully his kick came with a smile and some maladragem... otherwise I would question that it was not capoeira, but instead, just a fight.
Axe,

Jeronimo-                                                              back to previous

From: Glen V George ( USA - Dallas Texas )

Appreciate the email!  I really feel where you are coming from and am glad such a good role-model is apart of this wonderful artform known as capoeira.  I just hope more people held strongly the beliefs that you do. Keep me posted on schools in Dallas Texas. Gracias' - Axe' Jeronimo!!!!!

ggeorge <[email protected]>

Hi Jeronimo!

That's terrible news, about getting kicked in the eye.  I'm glad that you are okay in the long run. I think that this is the worst things for the development for capoeira: the violence. Nothing is as discouraging for me as hearing about intentional attacks and grave accidents in the rodas, especially when it involves highly trained capoeiristas who do possess the physical control to play safely. I think this will stunt, limit and define capoeira's growth worldwide.  It is a waste and shameful that we are fighting amongst ourselves.
This weekend, here in Santiago, I'm pleased to witness and participate in Capoeira Gerais' second batizado. The students are progressing quite rapidly, and visitors from abroad are arriving every day now. Their head mestre Mao Branca is expected soon, too. I will try to promote internet capoeira and distribute information and URLs. Axe!

Japheth <[email protected]>
CAPOEIRA MANDINGA - USA, Berkley CA
Mestre Marcelo "Caveirinha" (Mestre Suassunas' - Grupo Cordão de Ouro - S. Paulo, Brazil)

From: Marshall Carder ( USA - San Diego )

Mestre,

The game of Capoeira has subsequently evolved on two seperate paths. One attempting desperately to hold on to the traditions of the "Slave Ritual" and another frantically seeking recognition on a worldwide scale for their constantly evolving "Capoeira Contemporanea" It has spread to the middle and upper classes, as well as to North America, Europe, Russia, Australia and Asia.

For us as students, it is important to remember these things about Capoeira.  First, it was born as a way to forcibly escape slavery and therefore is rooted in the "Fight".  Secondly, it is a preservation of culture, myth and music tradition and thus must also be viewed in this context as a powerful "Social Instrument". Finally, although many people are needed to have a Roda, it is a representation of "Individual freedom", becuase each must enter alone and face themselves, the game and most importantly, their opponent.  There are no rules about how each must play the game or the order in which it progresses, and sometimes there aren't even clear winners.  But, if we look at it with the above history in mind, the pursuit of this "slave ritual" touches each of us deeply in many ways, our bodies, our intellect, our hearts, and most of all our spirit. With this in mind, nobody can every really lose if they are in pursuit of this art. Likewise, nobody will ever "Win" as long as there is injustice, disharmony, war, hatred, bigotry, racism, etc. in the world.
Hopefully we are all "Fighting" these modern appressors and not each other !!!Axe'

Marshall Carder (Macho) <[email protected]>
Capoeira Quilombo de San Diego - USA, CA (Mestre Elias)