Jogo de Vida






I almost forgot. I have been in this jogo (game) for ten years. It wasn't a straight ten years. There were some times when I never even listened to a capoeira song. Life caught up to me and I had to stay away from class for a few months. That happened more often than I wanted to. Yet it stayed in my heart. At work, I would ginga just to get my blood running.

It has been a long journey though as short as it may seem looking back. I made so many friends from around the world and had many opportunities come my way. Its been fun even during the bad times and yes I have stories.

People ask me so many questions about Capoeira. One question they ask much more than any other is why do I love Capoeira?

That's a really good question. I dabbled and continue to dabble and study other forms of martial arts. I am a b-boy and enjoy learning new forms of dance. Yet Capoeira is what I stick with. When I first started Capoeira I used to give the usual stuff. "Oh it's so beautiful," or "it's so African." Much of it is what we call "capoeira hippie" stuff.



As I began study the history of Capoeira, I realized that it was much deeper than that. It's a deeper discussion that should be had over a cup of coffee. It's about the fight over time and space, one that oppressed peoples have been doing and have creative wonderful forms of culture especially those that are martial. It's about socializing and interacting within those spaces.

I have been to places where rodas (circles) were welcomed and places where rodas weren't. If there is a constant in those rodas is that there are people who want in. For one to be a good capoeirista one must play against other capoeiristas. It's not about breaking boards or winning fights, since those things don't mark a true martial artist. In so many words, it is the interaction that I love about Capoeira. Some will say, "well you can go to a hip hop concert and meet people." This is true, but Capoeira forces me to go back to those people over and over again.

I also sweat, bleed, laugh, and cry with those people. I watch those people reach their limits and keep going. I watch the strongest break down and give up. I witness as folks with injuries push on to learn a new movement. Someone else might argue, "Well, you find that in all martial arts." That is true as well but guess what? We have the music and the instruments to learn. There is a socialization that really brings us together. The roda truly cannot function properly without enough people singing and playing instruments. The more the merrier.

Don't get me wrong, it's not all roses. I have met people I really don't care for and it shows. It's not always a love fest. Capoeira rodas are reflective of the greater society. Too many people come into capoeira expecting it to be about love and happiness until they get kicked in the face. Yes, yes ya'll, Capoeira can get violent. Sometimes too violent. What would you expect with a bunch of muscled folks kicking at 50 miles per hour?





In the end, it's been a dope ride. It's one I will continue to stay on until my heart stops.

Stay tuned for more.