Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai

Contents:

• About Capoeira (Chinese version: 关于卡波耶拉)
• About Mandinga and Mestre Marcelo
• About Mandinga Shanghai
  • Classes
    • Curriculum
    • Schedule & Fees
    • Code of Conduct
  • Students
  • Contacts

About Capoeira

Capoeira — Originating in Brazil in the 1600s, Capoeira is the only indigenous American martial art, it was developed by African slaves in Brazil. Capoeira began to take form amongst the community of slaves that worked on the sugar cane plantations, the docks and various other slave works. It became a strong weapon in the life and death struggle against their oppressors. When the owners of the sugar cane fields realized the power of capoeira, they began to punish those who practiced it, sometimes with death. Capoeiristas learned to camouflage the forbidden fight with singing and clapping as though it were simply entertainment.The fight was disguised behind the dance – a dance that could be as graceful as a panther and as treacherous as a snake. Mestre Bimba, with his good will and love of the art was able to take capoeira from being forbidden by law and transformed it into Brazil’s national sport. He along with Mestre Pastinha was the first to open schools and the capoeira tree grew, spreading its branches across the world.Capoeira is an art form and self-defense; with strong aerobic and dance elements. It is a harmony of forces that gives you power, flexibilty, endurance and self-discovery. Capoeira balances the body, soul and mind. It is a graceful, exciting art form that teaches you to be alert. The art keeps its strong traditions and enables you to break through limits, revitalizing you for everyday life.

Maculelê — (Pronounced: mah-koo-leh-LEH) An Afro Brazilian dance where dancers gather in a roda (circle) and dance by rhythmically striking grimas (sticks) together and integrating athletic movements. Music is played atabaques (the big drums we are using) and performers sing call and response songs. Costumes consist of grass skirts, paint on the skin and little else.

Batucada — A style of samba which is an African influenced Brazilian percussive style. It is considered by some to be the epitome of the percussive ensemble. Batucada is characterized by its repetitive style and fast pace.

Chinese version: 关于卡波耶拉

About Our Group

Everything started at the end of the year 2005: a few capoeiristas started to meet on the weekends in Luxun Park, weather permitting. In the 3 years since then what was once spontaneous training in the park between a few enthusiasts has grown into a proper capoeira group, which has on several occasions invited instructors from all over the world to come and teach. The person responsible for keeping capoeira alive in Shanghai has been Diego “Guerreiro”: in October 2007 he invited Mestre Marcelo to come to Shanghai for a workshop,and Capoeira Shanghai became part of Mestre’s international group, Capoeira Mandinga. Contra Mestre Cipo’, Contra Mestre Batatinha and Instrutor Marcão have all taught in Shanghai, contributing greatly to the development of capoeira here, and helping our students prepare for this event – The First Annual Batizado of Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai!

More about our classes