Capoeira was born in Brazil out of brutal necessity. The three million slaves taken to that South American country, mostly from Angola, were treated miserably, not just by their owners, but by anybody who was not a slave. Even after emancipation, the lot of
former slaves was wretched as they were generally denied entry into the mainstream of Brazilian life.
It was from the fact that they had to be prepared for mistreatment at any time that the concept of ‘malicia’ evolved. The term, which literally means malice, signifies that bad intent by another to one’s self has to be assumed. A hand outstretched in supposed friendship, for example, can be followed by a sneak attack on an unsuspecting victim.
Capoeira encompasses the concept, and training to be ready at any time for a surprise assault is an integral part of the martial art.
The style of fighting, dance-like, acrobatic, defensive, is thought to have roots in Africa but developed its unique movements as a way to disguise its true intent. Slaves were not permitted, of course, to be armed, nor even to defend themselves. While slavery was ended by 1888, capoeira was actually outlawed until the early 1930’s in Brazil. Until that time practicing the combative art-form could be considered a cause for imprisonment.
In recent times, however, the practice has migrated around the world, made known mainly through action movies like ‘Only the Strong’, made in 1993. It has been featured in other films and video games since and continues gaining in popularity even in Japan.
In Okinawa, Benjamin Moriniere, a Texas native, began his academy on Highway 58 near Obligatto after becoming interested in capoeira fifteen years ago. He teaches a style known as Capoeira Regional which was created by Manuel dos Reis Machado, better known as “Mestre Bimba”. Bimba was the man who convinced Brazilian authorities back in the 1930’s that capoeira was a true cultural treasure, which finally led to its legalization.
Moriniere, along with fellow instructors, Yesenia and Jerry Washington and Nozomu Okano, are mentors to about eighty enrolled students, men, women and children.
Training is done after warming up in a circle, known as a ‘roda’ and is often accompanied by clapping, drums and the use of a bow-like instrument called a berimbau. Tempos can be slow or fast but the object is not necessarily to make contact, rather to develop one’s own rhythm.
As Moriniere says, “Each movement learned is like a letter of the alphabet. Eventually you begin to put together your own sentences, catch your swing.”
Jerry Washington explains that the movements are learned in a ‘siquencia’, or sequence. “The point,” he says, “is to start from nothing and gradually build your strength and agility.”
When engaged in the sport for fun or practice the sweeping movements of the leg, known as rasteiras, are used for tripping up an opponent rather than meaning to disable or injure. Slight variations in the positioning of the legs and feet usually make the difference in whether the play is intended as a true defense in an actual attack situation.
Acrobatic headstands, spins and head strikes are other moves that are learned. Cartwheels, called aù’s, are also part of the art and are utilized as evasive and tactical maneuvers. Combining escape and defense in constant motion creates the flowing, graceful beauty of the rhythmic martial art.
As in any martial arts discipline there are many levels and combinations to discover. Anyone interested in investing time and energy towards mastery of capoeira may begin by signing up for a basic three-month course with Moriniere or his colleagues. The fee is $300.00 and lessons are given at least three times per week. Continuing the course entails a fee of $100.00 per month for approximately twelve sessions per month.
Details may be had by calling Benjamin Moriniere at (098) 936-8883, or by checking out the website at: www.capoeira-okinawa.com.
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