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Global interaction through a unique martial art: UHM students learn about Afro-Brazilian culture through capoeira By Léo Azambuja
Stress relief from academic life Ligia Cortez, a Brazilian national and communications major at UHM, says it is a great way to relieve stress from academic life. Students are able to actively participate in it singing, dancing and doing all the acrobatic moves it involves. The music alone is a powerful way to release energy that has been sitting inside from long hours studying, Cortez said. According to her, capoeira offers its participants a hands-on experience in Afro-Brazilian culture, including music, acrobatics, dance, martial arts, and even some language. Brazilian student reconnects with her own culture Cortez, who never practiced capoeira in Brazil, said she wouldn’t imagine she would become so addicted. She went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from Saint Mark’s Church in Kapahulu and heard a familiar drum beat, she said. Almost hypnotized by it, she went outside to investigate and found a group practicing capoeira at the church. Three months later, she decided to give it a try. She said that on her first day of practice she felt a very warm and positive energy and an instant connection with her own culture. “It was a time in my life when I was having some sort of culture shock,” she said. “I was missing a big part of my life being away from my culture.” Maui native finds new way to keep old passion going Lani Monroe, a Maui native and language major at UHM, first heard of capoeira through friends in Maui, but decided to try it only after moving to Oahu to attend UHM. She said capoeira gave her an opportunity to give continuation to an old passion of hers, dancing. “I’ve always been a dancer, and it incorporates dancing and fighting,” she said. “The music and the language also attract me to capoeira.” Brief history of capoeira During the 16th century, slave traders brought millions of Africans to Brazil. Once there, they were mixed with members of different tribes and forbidden to speak their native languages, or to practice their religions or any kind of martial arts. To disguise their martial arts training, they incorporated music to it, singing and playing musical instruments while practicing, making it look more like a dance than a martial art. Members of different tribes had their own styles, so after a while all the different styles blended into one. Places to practice capoeira in Oahu Capoeira is becoming increasingly popular in Hawai‘i. There are currently six capoeira schools in Oahu. Cortez and Monroe practice at Capoeira Senzala. From the average 25 students in the school they attend, only about 20 percent are from Brazil. UH students interested in participating can browse through options and find a school that is best suited for them. Five of the schools have regular classes in Honolulu; the 6th is located on the North Shore. Capoeira Schools in Oahu © 2005 UHM Journalism program and students.
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