Why Capoeira is so succesful around the world?

“Why Capoeira is so successful around the world is difficult to say. It is, instead, easy to say that the motivations are as many as the capoeristas are. Sometimes this fact disappoints me. I do not like when it is used to show up skills, braveness, arrogance, machismo  (both in men and women), which are usually the motivations I spot coming from the the modern world.”

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The following post was written by Vovô; a 60 years old capoeira full of energy and love for the Art. He wrote me an e-mail and I asked him to post it over here. Vovô’s involvement with Capoeira is amazingly inspiring! He began training when he was 54, and he’s one of the most healthy and fit students attending workshops in New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. Usually he’s the first to show up and the last one leaving the hall. One of his secrets is resistance against the enslaving food industry! He has a revolutionary approach to food, health, and life in general. A wise comrade reinforcing to all of us that Capoeira as a life long commitment.

Axé Vovô! Obrigado pelo apoio e companhia na jornada da Capoeira!

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Why Capoeira is so successful around the world?

By Sandro ‘Vovô’ Lionello

Why Capoeira is so succesful around the world is difficult to say. It is, instead, easy to say that the motivations are as many as the capoeristas are. Sometimes this fact disappoints me. I do not like when it is used to show up skills, braveness, arrogance, machismo  (both in men and women), which are usually the motivations I spot coming from the the modern world.
Probably my love for Capeira is a sort of old fashion egoist one: I keep on considering where it comes from, with respect towards who died and suffered for freedom and dignity. So when I’m part of an event anything could happen to my mind: I could be the happiest one or, maybe, the will to quit might knock at the door of my soul.

Certainly I lke Capoeira because it encompasses the revolutionary aspects of life: when I sing, or when I play or, simply, I think about the old Mestres or, even, more appropriately, when I see in my imagination the Portuguese ships delivering their cargo of slaves, is like to say “NO” to
whatever comes from the “Power” side and try to make a slave of me.

Slavery today has many facets, it is everywhere, it is the same old story about leaders and followers. My father was a mechanical worker in an factory. I saw him struggling for his family, working hard to make money that was never enough. He lived a simple life: work, love for the family, and respect for respectable people. When it was the moment to fight, because the conditions were to hard, he phisically did it. This was part of my imprinting and I can’t forget it.

But Capoeira also brings within itself plenty of happiness: and this is very attractive. The answer to the insult is a laughter. And when we are altogether to play, surrounded by the Roda, all that energy unites us. In those moments we are the expression of the best sides of the humans, whatever the motivation we are there for.

Axé!
Vovô Sandro Lionello