International Capoeira Angola Foundation – New York

By Imogen Reed

As you may already know, Capoeira\’s African and Brazilian heritage play a central roles in the way capoeira is perceived and understood by the people who practice it.

As it is in cultures throughout the world, its music is not only a form of personal entertainment, but it is also a medium through which social interaction and group cohesion occurs. In the case of capoeira, music is used to create the space and occasion in which to practice. It also sets the dynamic of a particular capoeira circle both energetically and spiritually.

The ability to connect with the music of Capoeira forms the basis of a link to its Afro-Brazilian heritage, on both an emotional and intellectual level. The songs of Capoeira pass down the history and traditions of the culture to future generations of capoeiristas.

Short of bagging a cruise deal and heading over to Brazil\’s heartlands, for an elementary understanding of capoeira music, it is recommended to listen to examples of music online and ask questions of all your available resources. Ask your teachers here at FICA NY to recommend a CD or two if you prefer – we\’re here to help!

Instruments

One of the primary instruments used in creating capoeira music is the berimbau (the musical bow). And this instrument commands the movement of capoeiristas in the roda. In capoeira, berimbaus may play together, up to three in number, each with a different tone and role: the bass (berra-boi or gunga) leads the rhythm, while the mid (médio) and high (viola) berimbaus build on and follow the gunga. The rhythms made by the berimbaus are called toques. In the toques, the gunga sets the tone for the players in the roda, and can heighten or lower the tension in a particular game if it is deemed necessary to do so. Other instruments include the pandeiro, atabaque, agogo, and the reco reco. The pandeiro is similar to a tambourine, but has adjustable tensions to allow high and low tones. The atabaque is a smallish drum made of wood and calfskin, and the agogo is similar to a cowbell and is used in Samba as well as capoeira music.

Songs

The songs are of four main kinds: ladainha, corrido, louvação.

Although there are variations following the different schools of capoeira practice, the Angola roda begins with the singing of the ladainha, which is often sung by the most senior member present. This is usually the one playing lead berimbau. The ladainha’s lyrics are emotional ones, often about life’s lessons and hard work.

The chula, or louvação, is a solo that begins the call and response section of the roda and usually gives thanks or offers praise to God or one’s mestre.

Corridos, are one or two verse songs in which the part of the singer and of the chorus is equal. The singing of the corrido is connected closely to the action inside the roda.

Changes to the music signal changes happening inside or outside of the roda. This makes improvisation a common element in all parts of capoeira music and listening closely is a crucial part for any dedicated capoeirista.

For some, the ability to move to music is not an innate skill, and comfort doing so only comes after years of practice. At FICA NY, we are fortunate to have music and movement workshops that help people of different levels of ability and ages to build their skills in this area. For our class schedule check out our website. Music is at the core of our practice here at FICA NY, and all are welcome to listen, interact, and enjoy.

Written by Ted Gousse

I have always had trouble with muscle tension.  I would go to Capoeira class and stretch what I could and make it through class but about an hour later I would be walking like the \”tin man.\” Aside from accounting for the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles after a long workout, other nutrients are exhausted in the body as well.

Proper daily hydration and a balanced diet is what you hear but the rest of the details are left out like what to eat and when and why.  Banana\’s are popular for their potassium but that might not always work to relieve most of the pain and tension the body is expressing.  Something else is missing and that is Magnesium.  I started slow because, as a vegetarian, my iron intake is lower than that of someone who eats meat and the muscles need a consistant blood supply for the activities they facilitate.  So, I needed to find a food that would suppliment that and I had success in finding the right foods by considering the foods involved in nourishing the muscles.

I finally came across molasses because it is considered an acceptable iron suppliment for the day.  What I also found was that the debilitating low back pain I would experience after class was about 60-70% gone.  I was so relieved that I found this that I continued looking for why it worked so well.  Molasses is rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium!  That was a piece of the puzzle I did not have before so when I later found that it helped the muscles to relax and this was the reason for the relief I was feeling .  Now I take Floradix Calcium-Magnesium as a daily suppliment and my muscle tension is reletively non-existant. If you are the \”heady\” type you can continue your journey through this link.

If you were wondering \”how am I gonna make this part of my healthy lifestyle?\” Here are a few websites that might make it easier for you to do your food shopping next week.

• http://magnesiumrichfoods.com/ (food shopping choices)
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2642861/?tool=pmcentrez&report=abstract (current research regarding magnesium sources)
• http://www.aquamin.org/ (mineral used in current research)

We\’ve just posted a new video for the group as well as the brilliant artwork of Michelle Mashon from the FICA Chicago group. Go check \’em out when you get a chance!

For some reason, PayPal couldn\’t process your payment. Feel free to download the PDF registration and send that in with payment or try again.

Thanks so much for you interest in what we hope to be a very positive event.

Peace and blessings!

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Almost a year ago our two resident artists, Duhirwe Rushemesa and Michael Loughlin, designed a beautiful banner for the group and gave us all the opportunity to participate in its crafting. Here is a short write up by Michael about the ideas and themes at work in the image:

I believe the banner we created for FICA-NY is a call to arms, an image that lets people know that FICA has arrived and wants to be heard in the great city of New York!

The iconic image of the Empire State building is the center piece of the impressive New York skyline, hence it is used to symbolized that we are alive in the heart of this city. The FICA logo is indeed iconic in its own right thus it is symbolized as being larger than the city for all to see and bring attention to the group that has established itself here.

The use of zebras in the foreground is to represent animals from the birth place of Capoeira Angola, Africa, and to demonstrate just how far the art has migrated. The zebras seem out of place yet blend into the city. The FICA logo also shares the image of the zebra as if it were playing along with the capoerista. Thus it is an image that solidifies that we are all animals roaming this interesting city and planet.

The overall style was created to look loose and fluid. The buildings are not square and no line is truly straight, they are there yet transparent. The city is obviously new york yet it is done in a gestural style that gives it movement and life, not rigid and grounded. The stylized quality used is to mimic the beauty and fluidity found at the heart of capoeira.

The colors used in the banner are that of the typical colors used in FICA, unifying our group with a global society that is interested in enriching the lives of many through the spirit of dance and sing! The color blue is used as a mark of uniqueness, a slight touch of hand that signals a sense of life and artistic freedom to accent. The color is sharp and vibrant in hopes of catching the eye and enlivening the surrounding.

The banner was created to give a sense of pride and spirit to those who train, play and sing in front of it. To establish a voice and pay homage to the art and beauty of Capoeira!

FICA New York is where it\’s at! Check out our all-new videos for a taste of capoeira angola in the Big Apple.