From: "Del Padilla" <[u--a--t] at [earthlink.net]> Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.super-heroes Subject: Re: Capoeira Message-ID: Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 17:21:37 GMT > > Yes ye might want to look it up Capoira was developed from a > > Dance/combat style used by Slaves in Brazil, it's one of the "non- > > eastern" styles that still exists (of course it's basis is probably > > got a lot of Indo-Eurasion influences) I am a Capoeria Practicioner and Gamer. Most of the treatments of Capoeira in games have been passable, but there are some important details that never seem to make it in. The origins of Capoeira are a matter of some debate. Some believe that it came to the new world from Africa, specifically Angola. Not co-incidentally, most of the people who believe that are decended from slaves, and have dark skin. The other theory is that it evolved in Brazil, a belief which seems to be popular with Lighter Skinned Brazilians who are more Portuguese in their ancestry. There are two main styles of Capoeria, a fact which most games seem unaware of. The first is Capoiera Angola. Angola is the older of the two forms, and has it's genesis in the Brazillian state of Bahia. It's been practiced there for at least 400 years. The residents of Bahia are for the most part Afro-Brazilians. Angola is a ground based art, and lacks a the flashy aerial manuvers of other martial arts. It is, however, a distinctly Brazillian phenomenon. Capoiera Regional (pronounced heh-JO-NOW) is a modern form of the art, created by a Angola master who wanted to spread Capoeira in to the greater population of Brazil. Regional does include influences from other martial arts, and is very distinct from Angola in it's high flying kicks and acrobatics. When Americans think of Capoeira, it's Regional they are thinking of. In this country, Regional has become quite popular, and most major US cities have a school or two. If anybody, cares to here it, I will be glad to go in depth into the music and culture of Capoeira. -Alejandro Padilla