Comments on: O Povo Brasileiro / The Brazilian People http://4capoeirathoughts.com/2009/11/27/o-povo-brasileiro-the-brazilian-people/ Social Inclusion / Intercultural Learning / Education / Capoeira Philosophy Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:40:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 4capoeirathoughts http://4capoeirathoughts.com/2009/11/27/o-povo-brasileiro-the-brazilian-people/#comment-74 4capoeirathoughts Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:29:48 +0000 http://4capoeirathoughts.wordpress.com/?p=163#comment-74 DonAna, Capoeira is cause and effect of Brazilianity. It's myth and history of the Brazilian people. Capoeira is made by everyone who engages with it, and yet it doesn't belong to no one. The best way of upholding its principles is to understand that it´s not a 'stand-alone' culture, that its inner concepts are tied to intercultural processes; not to myths of purism. You're right when you say that there other parallels. For instance, to tap on your dance metaphor, a lot of people around the world practice yoga, not as a practice part of a spiritual system, but as a workout class detached from its early cultural and philosophical context. The same happens with Capoeira, a libertarian tool, used by corporation-like groups to brain-wash and exploit practitioners worldwide. I think the lesson to be learnt here is about westernisation of cultures, practices of market reserve (when people try to tel us where to go, what to practice) and how we'll deal with it. Thanks for your contribution once more! Axé! Eurico DonAna,

Capoeira is cause and effect of Brazilianity. It’s myth and history of the Brazilian people.

Capoeira is made by everyone who engages with it, and yet it doesn’t belong to no one. The best way of upholding its principles is to understand that it´s not a ‘stand-alone’ culture, that its inner concepts are tied to intercultural processes; not to myths of purism.

You’re right when you say that there other parallels. For instance, to tap on your dance metaphor, a lot of people around the world practice yoga, not as a practice part of a spiritual system, but as a workout class detached from its early cultural and philosophical context. The same happens with Capoeira, a libertarian tool, used by corporation-like groups to brain-wash and exploit practitioners worldwide.

I think the lesson to be learnt here is about westernisation of cultures, practices of market reserve (when people try to tel us where to go, what to practice) and how we’ll deal with it.

Thanks for your contribution once more!
Axé!
Eurico

]]> By: DonAna http://4capoeirathoughts.com/2009/11/27/o-povo-brasileiro-the-brazilian-people/#comment-73 DonAna Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:08:27 +0000 http://4capoeirathoughts.wordpress.com/?p=163#comment-73 oi, you say "Capoeira represents much more than these two reductive sentences are capable to depict.", and I agree. The whole is more than the sum of parts, which makes it difficult for me to explain what exactly capoeira IS. I found the deeper I get into capoeira, the more complex it becomes - partially because I too "mingle" and mix my own capoeira as it becomes part of me and I become part of It. Like religion, and art appreciation, or politics, we must understand that every person takes from capoeira what he or she seeks, needs, or wants. I think every capoeirista will know there are as many styles as there are players (even though even the capoeiristas themselves have tried to "box" capoeira into categories!!!), just as there are as many shades of islam as there are muslims etc or visions as there are politicians. The growing of capoeira globally forces it to mingle interculturally and this in itself will change the face of capoeira and make it grow and adapt. Like "O Povo Brasileiro" I think there could (but won't) eventually be "Um Povo da Capoeira" which is formed by different cultures and philosophies just as "The Brasilians" as a people have come from various tribes with a sauce of Portuguese invasion etc. However, I think we are justified in comparing this process in capoeira to the becoming of O Povo Brasileiro because of its roots, but I think we can see these parallels in more cultures and we can apply this theory to other philosophies etc. It is not unique to capoeira! Just look at New Zealand as a country or flamenco as the art form with so many influences. I find myself drawn to these art forms in life because I like mixture. For me it represents open-mindedness and freedom (of both physical and spiritual movement). Hence I think capoeira doesn't suit narrow-minded people or people who are rigid or conservative in their beliefs (funnily enough to a certain extent these "black and white"thinking people do pop up every now and again for a short time and add their own personal touch to capoeira in general or a group in particular!). I see capoeira as a representation of life - mixing of and changing between thoughts and ideas, highs and lows, wins and losses, questions and answers, centre and periphery, start and finish. But still it's neverending, the learning, the game, the growing. "A Roda". You do something together but everyone has their own input. There are expectations but never prejudice, attempts but never failure - just like in life. I'm having a bit of trouble keeping my train of thought here but I hope you catch my drift! And that it makes sense what I say. Thanks CM, see you soon. Axe oi,
you say “Capoeira represents much more than these two reductive sentences are capable to depict.”, and I agree. The whole is more than the sum of parts, which makes it difficult for me to explain what exactly capoeira IS. I found the deeper I get into capoeira, the more complex it becomes – partially because I too “mingle” and mix my own capoeira as it becomes part of me and I become part of It. Like religion, and art appreciation, or politics, we must understand that every person takes from capoeira what he or she seeks, needs, or wants. I think every capoeirista will know there are as many styles as there are players (even though even the capoeiristas themselves have tried to “box” capoeira into categories!!!), just as there are as many shades of islam as there are muslims etc or visions as there are politicians.
The growing of capoeira globally forces it to mingle interculturally and this in itself will change the face of capoeira and make it grow and adapt. Like “O Povo Brasileiro” I think there could (but won’t) eventually be “Um Povo da Capoeira” which is formed by different cultures and philosophies just as “The Brasilians” as a people have come from various tribes with a sauce of Portuguese invasion etc.
However, I think we are justified in comparing this process in capoeira to the becoming of O Povo Brasileiro because of its roots, but I think we can see these parallels in more cultures and we can apply this theory to other philosophies etc. It is not unique to capoeira! Just look at New Zealand as a country or flamenco as the art form with so many influences. I find myself drawn to these art forms in life because I like mixture. For me it represents open-mindedness and freedom (of both physical and spiritual movement). Hence I think capoeira doesn’t suit narrow-minded people or people who are rigid or conservative in their beliefs (funnily enough to a certain extent these “black and white”thinking people do pop up every now and again for a short time and add their own personal touch to capoeira in general or a group in particular!).
I see capoeira as a representation of life – mixing of and changing between thoughts and ideas, highs and lows, wins and losses, questions and answers, centre and periphery, start and finish. But still it’s neverending, the learning, the game, the growing. “A Roda”. You do something together but everyone has their own input. There are expectations but never prejudice, attempts but never failure – just like in life.
I’m having a bit of trouble keeping my train of thought here but I hope you catch my drift! And that it makes sense what I say.
Thanks CM, see you soon.
Axe

]]>