Capoeira Meaning

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SONGS: THE HEARTBEATS OF CAPOEIRA.
Understanding the meaning of the songs in Capoeira is a perfect way to grasp and understand about the early history and life of the people of Brazil. The role of these beautiful songs, both as a cultural guide and teacher is invaluable to the art. There are many general songs which highlight this great game and accord it the respect it deserves. A tribute, to start with, towards this unique practice would be in order.

Capoeira ( E defesa, ataque- in defence attack) Style : Quadra Theme:Tribute to Capoeira.
Capoeira songs tend to be simple, but rich in meaning. The Quadra style of singing involves singing four or more verses, by a single person, to which there is a chorus response from outside the …show more content…

The song involves the roda and each line or verse is required to be responded to. Capoeira songs are symbolic, calling on the Gods,or the elements of the natural world,citing historical locations, battles, bravery or paying respects to former great Capoeiristas. Parana is the name of a state in Brazil. It has come to represent freedom and is used symbolically in many capoeira songs.Paranaue, is one of Capoeira's most famous and popular song. This song is sung to commemorate the many Capoeiristas who fought the War of Paraguay,more out of compulsion than choice, in order to win freedom from the Brazilian Government. This song essentially refers to the War of Paraguay, between Paraguay and Brazil. Since logically the the masters and rulers did not want to be on the front line, they deployed a large number of slaves to fight for them with an incentive lifeline ;an offer of freedom in case they returned alive after fighting the enemy. The slaves had an added advantage in hand to hand combat, due to their capoeira skills due to which many of them did return alive. On the way back, from the battle, on the banks of the Parana river the now ex slaves gave vent to their feelings through this beautiful song. Despite the tragedy, during which almost seventy five percent of Paraguayans lost their lives, it was an important milestone in the life of the slaves of Brazil and is commemorated to this day throughout the

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