Sweat is pouring off  me when the instructor calls us for the next part of the lesson: acrobatics. It’s hard work, and difficult. Combining the atmosphere of Brazil with martial arts is the sport of Capoeira – Edwin ‘t Lam investigates this energetic pastime.

One belief about capoeira is that it has originated in 16th century Brazil, as a crossover of martial arts and music performed by African slaves. By disguising it as a dance, slaves were able to practice capoeira - with the intention of using it to increase their chance of liberty. The fact is that the end result is an enthralling mixture of singing, music, dancing and fighting. A key point in the play is tactics, and the control of movement. 

Capoeira displays two different, although similar, styles. The original form of capoeira is called Angola, and is characterised by slower, stealthier movements. This was the form which was practiced originally by the African slaves and was outlawed in Brazil until the 1930s. In recent years the new style called Regional has gained more influence. This style is faster and more martial oriented than the Angola style - characteristics which have made Regional the more mainstream style. Nowadays both styles are often practiced together.

Music
The main instrument used in Capoeira is a stringed instrument called the berimbau, a large drum called the atabaque, and a tambourine called the pandeiro. The berimbau leads the music, determining the speed and the style. It is the music that drives the capoeira. Besides the main instruments, a band often consists of reco-reco (a rasp) and agogo (double gong bell). Every band member sings the refrains of the songs along with the leader of the band, who is usually the player with the largest berimbau.

Oulu Sem Mão
In Oulu people can practise capoeira at Oulu Sem Mão – a school of Capoeira Força Natural. The group started in 2000 and now consists of between 50-60 capoeiristas. The participants range from 12 year old schoolboys and biology students at the University of Oulu, to people who work in an office during the day. Capoeira is suitable for anyone who likes to relax in an active way.

Every week there are two training sessions, both for beginners as well as the advanced capoeiristas. Additionally there are music classes, free-style training and the “roda”. In the music classes apprentices learn to play capoeira's characteristic musical instruments and learn the songs. The roda on Tuesdays is the ultimate game that everyone trains for. In the game, two players stand inside a circle of capoeirstas, with the band on one side of the circle. As the duellers in the middle spar, the onlookers sing and the band plays.

 
Training lesson
As a newcomer to the sport I attended one of the training sessions on a Wednesday evening. The lesson starts at 18.00, and is held in Tuira’s Merikoskenkoulu. Entering the gym I see the other beginners going through their warm up routine, stretching their muscles and warming up. We are joined for this session by some of the more advanced members, who have come to play in the band while we train. They are tuning the instruments as we start running around the hall to warm up. The practise of capoeira puts fierce forces on limbs and knees and wrist joints, and a vigourous warm up routine is essential. Most of the beginners in the group started the course at the beginning of the season and are able to keep up the pace. Still it is an enormous relief to hear the teacher saying there is time for a sip of cold water. The training commences with the practise of some kicks and dodges which we had learned in the weeks before. Everyone takes some space and practices to the rhythm of the teacher. Each kick is well practised so that the moves feel natural when we are performing, and we are in complete control. The next exercise puts the kicks into a sequence, helping to increase the smoothness of the ‘tricks’ as they follow each other. This part is practiced in pairs. While one is performing a kick, the other practices their response. “It is a play of asking and answering”, our teacher tells us. “When one kicks, the other dodges. Then the second one starts asking and the other dodges.” You are dancing with the rhythm of the music. If your dancing partner asks you something (a kick, for instance), you have to answer by dodging it or avoiding it in any other way. We interrupt this practice with another well deserved drink.

After the training session the teacher calls us together for the next part of this lesson: acrobatics. He teaches us to stand on our head. However, the trick here is to start the headstand from standing on one’s hands. This is a very heavy task for all of us. Balancing on our hands is one thing, but getting from that position onto our heads is another. I practise some more times, most of them without a real nice result. Our teacher notices we aren’t ready for this trick yet. Our time will come. Nonetheless, it is good to be introduced to new movements. They inspire you to be inventive during the play in the roda.

The clock shows there are 15 minutes left in this session. We gather in a circle on the floor for a last series of push-ups and sit-ups. To conclude the course our teacher, nicknamed Turista, puts up a monologue, quoting a master: “Capoeira is not a martial art. When we practise capoeira, we need people. Without people there is no answer to your question. You can’t run up a mountain to get beaten by wood and stone and come down and think you’re a capoeira master now. You need your people to train you. After training, we need the people in roda; in the bateria to play music, in the circle to sing and two in the middle to play the game of capoeira. The aim is not to hurt each other or to get hurt. You need each other”. The clock strikes seven and I’m quite beaten up – from exhaustion.

Further information:
Força Natural – http://www.capoeira.fi
Oulun Sem Mão – http://kotinetti.suomi.net/oulu_sem_mao