What do Brazillian martial artist think of Capoeira?

Answer 1

Although I'm not Brazilian, most of my Brazilian friends (that live here in the US) see Capoeira as a source of pride for their home country. I think, though, it'll depend on their previous exposure to the art. I know a few BJJ guys, for example, that don't really care for it much.

I also want to comment on something 'Black Rage' posted.

First, instead of saying there are two kinds of capoeira... I'd say that there are "mainly" two types you'll find: Regional & Angola. One can say, however, that more kinds/types are developing and have been developed. Miundinho, for example, strays away from both the Angola and Regional styles.

Second, Regional is NOT a martial sport! In fact, Mestre Bimba developed Regional as a fighting art. He added to Angola moves he viewed as combatively effective. You can see this with moves like the galopante, vingativa, and banda. He trained his advanced students by organizing 'ambushes' where a group of 4 to 5 students would attack one of the others. He, himself, fought in freestyle fights, where in one particular case his opponent left the ring because he thought Bimba used an illegal move. This move (a galopante) by the way was not illegal because it was a freestyle fight.

Which leads me to point #3. The ban on Capoeira was NOT lifted because Bimba "changed the art to make it more acceptable to the white Brazilians." Further, the move to legalize Capoeira in Brazil was NOT a result of Bimba making it "less effective". Bimba took what he knew of Capoeira and added MORE combative movements. Please read Itapoan's book. It has many cited examples of this through personal testimonies of his students and countless newspaper articles on many of the fights he and his students were in.

Personally, I view Capoeira as a martial art that can be either shown as a performance, whether it be Regional or Angola or any other 'style', or it can be practiced for fighting. Most Capoeira that most outsiders see is the performance. Here in the states we see a lot of fancy acrobatics and "b-boy-like" movements during performances. Make no mistake! This is NOT what defines Capoeira or Capoeira Regional. In fact, many mestres I've talked to about the subject refer to that as Contemporary Capoeira (another style if you will). BOTH Angola and Regional have practical applications!

Answer 2

There are two kinds of Capoeira

1. the original Capoeira (also referred to as Capoeira Angola)

2. and the Brazilian style known as Capoeira Regional (this style was created in 1930 by Mestre Bemba)


Regional -- is more a martial sport than a martial art. It involves the original capoeira with Asian martial arts and gymnastics.

Angola -- is what the Africans used to fight bounty hunters and escape from slavery. This kind of Capoeira was banned in Brazil and if you were caught doing it you would be put to death.

Bimba helped to lift the band by changing the art to make it more acceptable to the white Brazilians. Bimba made a less effective fighting art.

Too many people think that capoeira is just a game that helps to condition your body. That may be true for Capoeira Regional but this is not the case for the one called Angola.

It is a game and it does help condition your body but it is more than just a game. Most people who do capoeira only know the "game" They do the movements but don't understand the principles behind what they are doing. Capoeira uses what we call a bi-pod/tripod stance and at it's most combative level there is always three limbs on the ground.

I Love Capoeira (Angola)

Answer 3

Capoeira is a Brazilian Martial art, so surely they like it, but then you have to look at other Brazilian Martial artists and there thoughts. Like Ju-Jitsu guys or Lute Livre Guys, is that what you mean? What other Brazilian Martial Artists think of Capoeira??

Answer 4

I think its a great "game" for conditioning other martial arts. Since Capoeira requires great balance, speed, cunningness, etc... it can help with your training in striking arts.

Answer 5

It's a great all round martial art.
It's great stuff for getting in shape and toning one's muscles. You learn some impressive acrobatics at that and with a little experience you can indeed discover very useful fighting techniques.

Answer 6

I M NOT SURE MY OPINION IS THAT HE IS A GOOD ARTIST