Handstand, back-flip, jump, kick, headstand - the human body is an amazing vessel, capable of almost anything.
At first glance, Capoeira seems like a martial art-based method of self-defense. An abundance of movements incorporated in Capoeira are grounded in martial arts, such as controlled kicks and front and back-flips executed slowly and precisely.
These movements are presented uniquely in Capoeira style, which is an art form. In fact, when Capoeristas are practicing their art, there is no reference to it as being a fight. It is really considered "playing Capoeira."
Capoeira evolved in a crucial time in history. To survive the horrors of slavery in the 17th century, people from the many African tribes taken from their homeland and brought to Brazil by the Portuguese created Capoeira.
At the most recent Capoeira Batizado, or baptism, on Saturday viewers got a taste of the history, the incredible movement and more.
The purpose for the Batizado is to introduce new initiates to the Capoeira community as they are to be baptized as Capoeristas. At this particular event, this community consisted of 15 mestres (teachers), all from around the United States and Brazil. The teachers included Mestres Acordeon, Suelli and Ra from Berkeley; Mestres Rony and Girino from Florida; Mestres Canguru, Enx£, Largato do Fogo, and Onda from Tucson; Contra-Mestre Amunka and Mestre Galego from California; Mestre Galo from Denver; Mestre Maluco from Albuquerque; and instructor Pimenta from Seattle.
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Before the ceremony began, the dance group Ogara Samba e Danáa, featuring Pilar Leto and friends, graced the stage with outrageous glittery costumes, a lively stage presence and fantastic samba moves.
Then Capoeristas from Albuquerque ran on stage with a burst of energy and played MaculelÇ, which is done by hitting sticks together in time with the music and playing Capoeira. MaculelÇ is one of the most creative and inspiring sights to see displaying truly amazing feats of the human body.
The newcomers were then baptized. The music for this event is drawn from the magical birimbau, the infamous agogo and the rhythmic pandeiro. In this setting, students first played with their teachers, but more importantly, they take some minor discomforts like falling and tripping, gracefully.
The newly inducted Capoeristas were given their first cordao, or cord, that is tied around his or her waist. The color of this cordao, for the new members, is green. The next level of Capoeristas receive a cordao of yellow and green representing the skill level that they have worked towards.
"The Batizado is important to the Capoerista because we consider it to be the first step of the Capoeira path," Mestre Acordeon said. "Before the Batizado you are not a Capoerista yet. You are just an applicant. You pick it up if you like, see if you have the guts for it and see if you want to commit yourself."
Judging by the level at which all the Capoeristas performed, displaying marvelous talent and ability, everyone in the Batizado had worked very hard and was completely deserving of these rewards.
