Photo: AFP

By Vera Penêda

Mix martial arts and dance, hit the drums and sing along, bring your friends in for a swing and you'll be having a Capoeira party. In the last few years, this Afro- Brazilian art form has taken the world by storm, captivating people of all ages and walks of life. Beijing is about to join in the bash as the first and only Capoeira group in town is already swinging to the sound of the bateria.

"Ohlele…Ohlele… Sexta-feira é dia de tradição…é dia de roda de Capoeira (Ohlele…Friday is tradition day…is Capoeira's Roda Day)." As the rataplan of berimbau, panderios and atabaque (types of drums) pounds in the air, the roda (literally, "capoeira circle", the party in which Capoeiristas meet and play) of singers, musicians, onlookers and players gather around.

The mestre (master) starts singing the ladainha, a ritual song of commencement, the opponent replies with a corrido, they walk into the center of the roda and the ginga (swinging back and forth) begins.

Both engage in an improvisational sparring routine of kicks, spins, escapes, takedowns, handstands and spontaneous acrobatics without ever striking each other – the flux of movement and music stirs the game forward. Only head, hands and feet can touch the floor. This is a party for fitness, fun and friendship.

"Capoeira is so much more than a dance-fight game," explained the Capoeira instructor as he pulled back his dreadlocks. Ed Zingu coordinates the first group to hold regular classes and promote the activity in town.

"Capoeira urges you to learn about its music and instruments, roots and rituals. It's a language and a culture, it allows you to become part of a community," added Zingu.

He immediately looked for a Capoeira group as soon as he arrived in Beijing from South Africa. "Moving to another country implies a big detachment from your life. Capoeira made my relocation a lot easier because it keeps me alert and connected. It provides a sense of immediate closeness, of belonging to a group and family."

Strength and flexibility

Recently named Capoeira Mandinga Beijing, the group meets regularly and is growing and establishing itself as the only Capoeira family in town. Both foreigners and Chinese, beginners and experienced Capoeiristas, have joined the gang.

"I can't live without it," said Derek, a 30-year-old American who's been in town for only a month and found Capoeira even before he found a job.

For Sara, 20, the first class was a huge challenge. "It's very interesting, it requires a lot of strength and flexibility," she said. A French teacher, Sara was introduced to the class by a friend.

According to the teacher, kids and grown-ups, sports people and flat footed individuals can all easily pick up Capoeira, because it isn't as strict as other traditional martial arts or dance disciplines. Evolution depends on each individual and how much practice and effort one puts into it, but patience and assertiveness are what it takes to get started.

The 10 students in class understand this concept only too well as they tumble about, repeating the steps countless times and always with a smile. "I practiced martial arts before, like Jujitsu and Tai Chi, but I was hopeless with Capoeira when I started," said Derek, who can spin on his head after six years of cartwheels and sweeps. "It takes a bit of persistence to achieve strength and coordination. You have to be willing to try and can't let physical fears hamper you," the teacher explained.

The group Capoeira Mandinga Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of Ed Zingu

Slave fights

Once you're into it, Capoeira is an exciting and graceful art form with health benefits that can balance the mind, body and soul. "It's a great cardiovascular workout, which increases equilibrium, strength and coordination. But most of all, Capoeira is a dialogue between pairs that forces the mind and body to work together in anticipating the opponent's next move, thus boosting your attention and self-confidence," said Zingu.

And true to its origins as a clandestine fight-form, repackaged slightly as dance form, Capoeira retains enough martial arts to help you win a bout. But changing times have pushed this art form to evolve and find a different purpose.

Rather than engaging in fights, Capoeiristas become interaction experts with a deep sense of self-control. "Back then, slaves fought because they had their lives on the line, but luckily we don't need to engage in violence for the same reasons," the instructor said, adding that Capoeira teaches you how to avoid a struggle.

The interaction and body language that the game demands will enhance nimbleness and the ability to anticipate the opponent's moves. "You learn how to read people and the situation, which helps you to keep calm and not overreact. That's what's best about the Capoeira game… the challenge and the fact that there's never a winner," Zingu said.

The spiritual insight rooted in this originally subversive art form has stood the test of time and was nurtured by generations of masters for more than 500 years. Capoeiristas consider it as a philosophy for life.

Batizado!

Growing as a Capoeirista means learning about Capoeira's folklore and spirit. "When I started to play the instruments and learned some Portuguese words to understand the stories and songs, I was able to appreciate the deeper meanings of Capoeira and my game improved a lot," said Katay, a 27-year-old Venezuelan, who flips and sweeps as if he was never born to do anything else.

Once a rite for freedom, justice and union, Capoeira remains a community celebration that goes beyond entertainment to promote diversity and tolerance. This companionship starts in the classroom where nobody is left outside the roda – experienced players interact with first-timers with enthusiasm and dedication.

"The team spirit and the friendship are the best things about Capoeira," said Mai, a 24-year-old Spanish-Nicaraguan with tangled hair who's been in the roda for two years. "It might be intimidating in the beginning, but everybody is very friendly and welcoming, so we all end up having lots of fun."

This camaraderie and interplay has also boosted the international recognition of Capoeira as one of the most positive paths for helping troubled youths in disadvantaged communities and promoting social integration of disabled kids. Zingu personally witnessed that in South Africa and thinks the future of Capoeira in Beijing might have the same effect.

"We'll start cooperating with Sambasia, a percussion group well-established in Beijing to organize a Capoeira Festival, a batizado which is an initiation ceremony into the art of Capoeira during which beginners are baptized with a apelido (nickname) and given a corda (cord belt rank), and work on social programs focused on children and young people," he said.

Many say Capoeira defies definition. Its liveliness and folklore can end up charming the whole person with the energy, philosophy and magic of the art. So now that you know, dress white and get into the roda.

Capoeira Mandinga Beijing classes are held at the J-Ballet Studio every Tuesday, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm, Thursday and Friday, from 7:30 om - 9:30 pm.

Pay per class (50 yuan) or per month (350 yuan). For more details, contact Ed Zingu at ed.zingu@gmail.com.

verapeneda@globaltimes.com.cn

Playing in the Capoeira roda. Photo: Courtesy of Ed Zingu

Cock fight

Capoeira literally means chicken coop in Portuguese a term used by slave owners because it often resembles a rooster fight.

Created in Brazil in the 16th and 17th century by slaves brought from Africa, Capoeira was designed as a symbol of freedom to resist oppression and celebrate slave culture and spirit.

Through its acrobatics and music, Capoeira expresses pain and joy, attack and defense, sensuality and response.

Experts call berimbau the soul of capoeira as there are very few martial arts, if any at all, so sensitive to music.

A Capoeira class. Photo: Courtesy of Ed Zingu