Learning Brazilian Fight-Dance Capoeira With Havaianas

CEBU, Philippines - Many of the songs that are sung during a capoeira are narrative. Capoeiristas sing about a wide variety of subjects: about history or stories of famous capoeiristas, about life or love. Other songs attempt to inspire players to play better or are about what is going on within the “roda,” the circle of participants.

t was an afternoon of healthy fun when Havaianas teamed up with Cebu’s only capoeira group to teach young Cebuanos, together with some lifestyle and entertainment media, the basics of the Afro-Brazilian art form.

Instructor Jensen Chow of Sinha Bahia de Capoeira (an international capoeira association with branches around the world) led the private capoeira class which was held at the poolside gazebo of Waterfront Hotel and Casino’s Citigym. Chow, head of the Sinha Bahia de Capoeira Cebu City branch, was crowned the Asia Pacific Capoeira champion by the Superliga Brasileira de Capoeira in 2004. He has been under the tutelage of the only capoeira master living in the country, Master Torpedo of Rio de Janeiro.

In most of the Havaianas events that the dynamic duo of A.L. Amizade Marketing, Inc— Aimil Sarmiento and Leanne Florendo—came up with, a capoeira exhibition was often a staple. So they thought, why not let us, the spectators, get a feel of how the martial arts cum dance is played and performed.

First, we were taught the “ginga”, the fundamental movement in capoeira. With both feet standing approximately shoulder-width apart, and then with one foot moved backwards and then back to the base to create a triangular step on the ground, this form prepared the body for other movements.

Music was played to set the tempo while two capoeiristas sparred in fluid acrobatic play using leg sweeps and kicks. A “Roda”, or circle, was formed by the participants who took turns sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The rest who made up the circle clapped and chanted along to the music.

After our “batizado”, or baptism of sorts into capoeira, a healthy spread of food and refreshments were waiting for us.

As history tells it, capoeira was created in Brazil (homeland of Havaianas) by slaves from Africa, sometime after the sixteenth century. Some interpretations emphasize capoeira as a fighting style designed for rebellion, but disguised by a facade of dance, thus the fluid movements.

Many of the songs that are sung during a capoeira dance cum game are narrative. Capoeiristas sing about a wide variety of subjects: about history or stories of famous capoeiristas, about life or love. Other songs attempt to inspire players to play better or are about what is going on within the roda.

Instructor Chow explains, “Capoeira is such a healing, holistic art, and above all else, fun! It gives the happiest, healthiest high. And even those who will never do the art are still entertained.”

For those who’d like to give capoeira a try, you can call Sinha Bahia de Capoeira at (032) 412 4076 or email [email protected] for more details.