As an Angoleiro who enjoys being out and about in the capoeira world fraternizing with a variety of players I’ve often been uncomfortable with what i saw as an exclusionary tendency and a ‘cannonisation’ of Angola stylistically which doesn’t fit with that inner philosophy as I identify it. (of course – I cant speak for others in that regard)
For me this philosophy importantly includes the transcending of boundaries, hierarchies and pure narrative play edges with a reality check that anyone can fall down if the timings right. Connect, flow, watch out!
The physical movement of Angola for me is an embodiment of that philosophy and any rigid dogma that only encourages caricature and discourages dialogue within itself does it a disservice.
There is room for innovation, speed and even aggression while still working in that framework.
It is a living breathing art form and will of course change and grow so there must be room and range for the young and bouncy as well as the seasoned practitioner and wise Mestre to engage with it and feel a place in its continuing evolution and its history and continue its relevance into the future.

At the same time, I must also give respect to those who have ‘manned the barricades’ defining and in many ways protecting Capoeira Angola from being dissolved and relegated to a set of obscure movements.
It could have happened!
The intensity of those Mestre that kept Angola, or found a return to Angola and made their voice and opinion heard is admirable and so very important even if I disagree with them in some ways.

Its a hard one…

He doesn’t know what he’s saying