Capoeira enthusiasts had the opportunity to train under the guidance of Brazilian contra mestre Caracu from the Berlin-based Senzala group from 18 to 20 April. The instructor visited Bolesławiec for the first time. “Capoeira is special to me because the style is not important; what matters is the integration of different countries and cultures,” the Brazilian told Boleslawiec.org / IstotneInformacje.pl.
“I fell in love with capoeira at first sight, when I was six years old,” says Maluco Da Favela, an instructor at the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre. “Music is the most important element of capoeira. There is nothing like it in any other martial art,” he adds. The instructor was away from Poland for two years. He went to Brazil, where he trained under many capoeira masters. He also visited Italy, Spain and Germany, among other countries. He did all this so that the group he trains could officially use the name Senzala.
This Brazilian martial art is connected with dance. Practitioners play live instruments. They also sing songs about the history of capoeira and about Senzala. According to Mestre Caracu, the students from the Bolesławiec group show great talent.
Capoeira was created by Brazilian slaves. It originated from the ritual dances of African tribes. It stands out from other martial arts through its dynamism and dance-like fluidity. Opponents’ strikes are very rarely blocked; instead, capoeira offers many evasions and transitions.
(GA information)