Capoeira Roda de Mes

CEBU, Philippines - Sinha Bahia de Capoeira Internacional Cebu once again conducted a monthly Capoeira demo at the Ayala Center Active Zone last October 13.

According to marketing assistant Jessica Albaño, the “Roda de Mes” (monthly Roda) showcased the talent, skills and moves of Sinha Bahia de Capoeira Cebu students.

Capoeira is a martial art form of Brazil (South America). “It is a unique cultural art that blends dance, music, song, acrobatics, and fight into a game which offers the whole world a tool and methodology to embrace the highest aspirations of the human spirit: joy, freedom, and wisdom.”

Meanwhile, the “roda” is a circle of people where capoeira is played.

According to capoeira.ph, capoeira is “roughly 500 years old already” and that “it was developed in Brazil by African slaves.”

In fact, it is the “only surviving martial art form native to the New World. Its aesthetics is unique to itself, although draws from a rich African heritage.”

It was also learned that capoeira is more than just another martial art, as it is an art of expression, play and personal interaction developed in the oppressive atmosphere and environment of slavery, which has survived into the 21st century. In Portuguese, the language of Brazil, capoeira is referred to as a “jogo,” or a game.

Further, it mentioned that capoeira is characterized by “deceptive kicks, sweeps, trip-em-ups, head butts, elbows and knees.”

How is it played? Two players would enter a circle of onlookers and participants, known as a roda (pronounced “hodah”). At the head of the roda are musicians, fellow capoeira players, who play instruments specific to the art — like the berimbau (a primitive bowed instrument).

According to capoeira performer cum national head instructor of Sinha Bahia de Capoeira Internacional Jensen Go Chow, there can be no capoeira if there isn’t any berimbau. This is played by a Mestre, or master of the art. The tempo dictates the players what game to play in the roda. The berimbau is accompanied by an atabaque (a floor drum) and a pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine). Chow said that the Mestre leads the onlookers and fellow players in songs that reflect the type of games being played within the roda.

Moreover, Sinha Bahia stressed that “fast tempos dictate games where the players throw fast and powerful kicks and blows at each other, along with movements reminiscent of the most acrobatic gymnastics.”

“Slower tempos dictate more of dance-like interaction, and more deception between the two players. Lyrics to songs reflect the action. For example, if one player is obviously losing his cool, the Mestre might sing a traditional song about a bawling child who is crying. The lyrics serve to remind the upset player that he is losing his cool. Hence, emotional balance - a key to good capoeira play.”

The Roda de Mes was taken to a public arena in the hope of drawing more enthusiasts, as on its deepest level, capoeira transcends martial arts, music and ritual and is a “philosophical framework for approaching and interacting with others and the world at large.”

Classes are carried out at the Cebu City Sports Club Academia, at the 3rd floor of Luym Building, at the Community Scouts Orphanage (free class), and at the Sacred Heart School for Girls campus (weekly classes).

Sinha Bahia can be reached through (032) 412-4076 or email [email protected]. You may email [email protected] also.

The event was co-presented by platinum sponsor, Havaianas, the Brazilian brand of flip-flops that is the world’s leader in premium flip-flop culture.  (FREEMAN)