Capoeira Sheffield

MOVEMENT. MUSIC. COMMUNITY


MOVEMENT . MUSIC . COMMUNITY



cAPOEIRA sHEFFIELD



WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?





Capoeira is often difficult to describe to those who have not seen it; is it a dance, or a martial art? Is it a fight or a game? It can mean different things to different people, but it's essence is always in a movement dialogue.


Capoeira encompasses different elements of movement into ever-changing patterns of connection. The history of capoeira is told through its music - the songs and instruments that you see and hear in the roda (or circle) of capoeira.


Capoeira's origins are in the enslavement of Africans, who brought their traditions across the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil. It soon became widely practised on the plantations as a means of breaking the bonds of slavery, both physically and mentally. During this time and after emancipation, the art was considered disreputable and officially prohibited. The identification of “the outlaw” with capoeira was so widespread that the word became a synonym for “bandit,” and “thief.” However, that did not stop the capoeiristas from practising. They moved to marginal places and camouflaged the martial art as a form of dance. Capoeira was finally made legal in Brazil in the 1930s, championed by Mestre Bimba, the creator of Capoeira Regional.


Today, capoeira is practised freely across the world: an exciting exchange of movement, a conversation, a game with a serious origin and a beautiful future.



SHEFFIELD CAPOEIRA





Our group has been teaching and promoting capoeira in Sheffield since 2005. We are dedicated to this unique Afro-Brazilian art-form that blends movement, dance and music. Our group started with the University of Sheffield Capoeira Society and has grown to provide classes across different locations in Sheffield for both adults and children. Yet we still work closely with the university society, teaching classes for students, performing demonstrations and sharing our capoeira community.


Formerly associated with Cordao de Ouro Capoeira, we are now a part of Capoeira Tucum. Our group's leader and founder is Mestre Papa-Leguas, who has taught and travelled all over the world, bringing capoeira to many places.



TUCUm: Wood strong as iron, resistant as time!



"TUCUM … Wood strong as iron, resistant as time! This was the idea that I always carried with me, bringing it to everything I did and do, taking it everywhere I went. So, through this name, it was the most symbolic way I found to represent what I believe as a person, and based on these principles of strength, courage and endurance, I walk, I fight and I am Capoeira. And on this path I have students, friends and people who trust and are together with me always.


TUCUM - "needle for sewing" - For me it represents Capoeira in its simplest form, but full of mysteries and grimaces in its ups and downs, sewing, closing wounds and marks of the past, embracing fears and overcoming the difficulties of the future.


TUCUM “Hardwood as iron” and I say in terms of community as well, we must be strong but at the same time flexible within our concepts, always respecting others.


TUCUM - "Fruit with medicinal properties" represented here by my students, teachers, and everyone involved, using our art as therapy, a professional way to improve both physical and emotional life.


TUCUM - “magic ring and strong symbolism” It is the firmament between me, my students and capoeira. A symbol of our commitment to the art, to honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, dignity, transparency and fairness, these will be the principles that will base our decisions. This will be our new History"


TUCUM Group Mestre Papa-Leguas





mOVEMENT . mUSIC . community