Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art descended from African slaves.  Inherent to the art is the use of music and dance; it was practiced and developed in secret, and the presence of music helped it appear to the powers that be that it was part of a harmless ceremony.  Music is such a part of the art that participants “play” at capoeira; they don’t practice or spar.

The instrument traditionally associated with Capoeira is a berimbau, a single stringed instrument with a hollowed out gourd used as a resonator pictured here.  It almost certainly descended from traditional African percussion instruments, though today’s berimbau is unique to Brazil and those who play at Capoeira abroad.

Music has a long association with martial prowess – battle cries often arose out of gourds, shells, and, later, bugles and trumpets.  But most martial arts are meant to be quiet; the element of surprise is something to be maintained as long as possible.  Capoeira is a beautiful hybrid of martial art, dance, and almost a “get to know you” ritual.  It’s beautiful to watch, and the participants tend to be gentle, wonderful human beings.

Take a watch/listen to this capoeira play session, which is pretty much exactly how it goes.  You can see the top of a berimbau poking up from the heads of the circle:

Thanks for reading.

Ryan