colonial past, and the African slave trade. “It started in Brazil,” says Professor Rafael, “when the
slaves from Africa were brought over to work on the plantations. They did not have any weapons to
protect themselves from the slave owners, so they started to use their legs, arms, heads to protect
themselves. That is why sometimes you hear people calling it a dance, because that is how the slaves
camouflaged it. They made it look like a dance to avoid
suspicion.” Its past can explain one of capoeira’s most
prominent features, which is the combination of dance
and music. Members of the Monash Capoeira club are
clearly distinguished from other martial art clubs.
They’re the ones with the music and the bright colors.
And they’re the ones that look like they’re performing
some exotic dance, which requires periodic
handstands and summersaults.
However, this history can also help explain the culture
of camaraderie that accompanies the art. “Since I left
my country to come here,” says Professor Rafael, who
came to Malaysia ten years ago with the intent of
introducing Capoeira here, “those that I teach are not
just my students, they are like my friends and family.
The way you view the community in capoeira is like a
family.
We
do
things
together,
we hang
out. It is
a close
community.” Learning the art is a combination of
l