Portraits / Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai

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August 3rd, 2009 Portraits

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Instructora Bolacha (23):

I have been practicing capoeira for over 10 years now, since I was 11-years-old. I remember picturing myself doing everything that these people were doing with their bodies during an assembly demonstration at my elementary school and signed up for the program right away. I began training capoeira as an after school activity and fell in love with the art. I was quiet and shy growing up; capoeira has given me self-confidence and helped me overcome so many obstacles.

Everyone has a different story and journey in life. I have come to realize that my place on earth is to help others not only to teach others, but to also learn from anyone and everyone. To have a positive outlook and to dream big is my personal philosophy in life and this is only the beginning of what capoeira has offered me so far. All it takes is imaging your self doing something and that first step can make a huge difference. I cannot imagine where I would be if I did not sign up for this after school program to take capoeira. I believe this is faith and my calling in life to continue benefiting and growing from this beautiful art.

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Joaninha's blog is everything you can expect from a good Capoeira blog, with stories about her own training experience, tips, cultural aspects of Capoeira… But this Canadian camara has chosen a feminist and feminine approach to our practice. She tracks mysogynistic song lyrics in our rodas, she fights the upper body strength myth in female capoeirista's minds and introduces talented and creative women who became mestres and contramestres. She was kind enough to answer our questions.

Joaninha (Mandingueira blog) About her capoeira experience…

Joaninha — the ladybug, in Portuguese – has started to train in 2005 and got more and more involved in her practice with time. She trained up to 5 times / week, despite her father calling Capoeira a “Brazilian street cult” when she started classes !

About the Mandingueira blog…

Her modesty led to a great concept: she didn't want to compete against great websites such as The Capoeira Blog so she gave a feminist twist to her own capoeira blog. And she doesn't regret it thanks to all the exchange among her readers' community.

About the Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai group…

“Embrace the exception, not the rule”, she advises through this Tom Robbins quote. Being a small group, it's crucial for CMS to remain as open as possible to welcome all countries, styles and opinions.

• Previous portratit: Gringa Mansa

From Editor:
A French member of our group, Agathe “Requebra” Nougaret has reviewed for
us some popular blogs about Capoeira.
I hope you will find these blogs interesting and add them to your bookmarks.
Obrigado Requebra!
Axé~!

Sabrina's life is driven by Capoeira, even if she can't practice anymore. Her blog is a goldmine for those eager to find out more about Capoeira culture. Gringa Mansa dedicates her time to introduce famous mestres, history, books, movies, exhibitions, songs and so on. She even gave us a short interview.

What's your Capoeira experience?

I started training in Los Angeles in 1984 or so, with a Brazilian teacher (not a mestre) named Paris. In early 1987 I joined GCAP in Bahia, Brazil, training with mestres Moraes, Cobrinha and João Grande.

What about the Gringa Mansa blog?

I started the blog as a sort of autobiography, including the diary I wrote when I first arrived in Brazil, and it has become a way of keeping people informed about what is going on in the Capoeira world these days, particularly in Bahia. I've had visitors from all over the world – including China, it seems!

What would you like to say to the Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai group?

Make sure that Capoeira is more than just a physical activity. It has to include the mind and soul, and involve music, song, African-Brazilian culture and the spirit of resistance.

• Next portrait: Joaninha from “Mandingueira” blog