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Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice
Capoeira weaves fighting, music, dance, prayer, and ritual into an urgent strategy by which people live, struggle, celebrate, and survive together. In this book Bira Almeida--or Mestre Acordeon as he is respectfully called in capoeira circles--documents his own tradition with both the panoramic eye of the historian and the passionate heart of the capoeirista. He transports the reader from the damn of New World history in Brazil to the streets of twentieth-century Bahia (the spiritual home of capoeira) to the giant urban centers of North America (wher capoeira is now spreading in new lineages from the old masters). This book is valuable for anyone interested in ethnocultural traditions, martial arts, and music, as well as for those who want to listen to the words of an actual mestre dedicated to preserving his Afro-Brazilian legacy.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 5, 2022
Great depiction of the art, very engaging.
August 25, 2013
This is my favourite of all the books about capoeira I read in my capoeirista days. Mestre Accordeon not only instructs on the fascinating history and multi-faceted practice of capoeira in all its aspects; he weaves these lessons with poignant, poetic, beautifully written autobiographical story telling, which brings much light and life to his subject.
March 11, 2026
Firstly, an easy recommend for anyone interested or practicing capoeira.
Secondly, in itself it is a book that can be considered a mix of 3 main topics & styles:
1. The origins and history of capoeira.
2. What capoeira is, the (basics of) how and "why".
3. Various dramatized semi-autobiographical short stories by Mestre Acordeon in a magical realism style prose.
Lots of supplemental material such as photos, musical texts & charts are also provided, often as part of any on-going exposition.
Not all of these will be "fun" to read but all of these definitely share an intent to teach capoeira in all its forms and while at times a bit uneven, it's still a worthwhile read if you have any remote interest in capoeira.
Secondly, in itself it is a book that can be considered a mix of 3 main topics & styles:
1. The origins and history of capoeira.
2. What capoeira is, the (basics of) how and "why".
3. Various dramatized semi-autobiographical short stories by Mestre Acordeon in a magical realism style prose.
Lots of supplemental material such as photos, musical texts & charts are also provided, often as part of any on-going exposition.
Not all of these will be "fun" to read but all of these definitely share an intent to teach capoeira in all its forms and while at times a bit uneven, it's still a worthwhile read if you have any remote interest in capoeira.
April 16, 2010
Actual rating: 1 if reader does not play capoeira, 4 if they do.
This book is a bearded, kind-faced man who helped spread understanding and use of a Brazilian art form (a treacherous art form) into North America. Or rather, it's a guide book by that man about that art.
My review follows a re-reading after a long hiatus from playing or practicing. I find the text much more interesting now, returning to it in a new environment, for clearing-up some of the confusion created in this small culture where histories are passed orally, and styles passed by observation.
This book is a bearded, kind-faced man who helped spread understanding and use of a Brazilian art form (a treacherous art form) into North America. Or rather, it's a guide book by that man about that art.
My review follows a re-reading after a long hiatus from playing or practicing. I find the text much more interesting now, returning to it in a new environment, for clearing-up some of the confusion created in this small culture where histories are passed orally, and styles passed by observation.
March 12, 2015
since I am a practioner of this art, I could relate to some extent (I am just a beginner). There were some passages that were heart felt and I teared over and others insightful. It really opened up the mind set where my fellow capoeiristas are coming from and a better understanding of my Mestre. I loved that it's from a personal account and got to explore the authors view. Walking away from this book really encourages me to strenthen myself body and spirit. I would like to find another book like it and read it.
November 29, 2008
i like the personal accounts of the authors' encounters with two giants of afro-brazilian history such as mestre pastinha and mestre bimba. and it gives a little more grounding to my understanding of capoeira as an art of struggle.
August 9, 2011
Capoeira is a martial art introduced into the Americas by African people. Because of restrictions imposed during slavery and afterwards, Capoeira developed as a dance.
This book describes the history and practice behind the flighting system and art form.
This book describes the history and practice behind the flighting system and art form.
September 20, 2011
This is a classic for capoeirista's in the San Francisco Bay Area for sure, and internationally in its own right. A must read written by Mestre Acordeon, among the first to bring capoeira to North America.
June 14, 2011
It is an interesting book, but more along the lines of a biography than of "history, philosophy, and practice."
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December 19, 2012A must read for capoeiristas - great history of capoeira and Mestre Bimba.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews