Okay, let me be clear from the outset: this document is absolutely not intended to be a political diatribe, a post designed to bash or overly praise President Trump. The political leanings of anyone reading this—whether you are a staunch supporter, a fervent opponent, or entirely indifferent—are simply not the focus.
Instead, the core objective of this guide is far more personal and philosophical. It is an exploration of how we, as practitioners of Capoeira Angola, can approach the unique challenges and environment of the current political moment. Capoeira Angola is more than just a fight or a dance; it is a philosophy, a way of moving through the world that emphasizes resilience, adaptability, strategic timing, and a deeply-rooted sense of community.
The central question is this: How do we apply the fundamental principles of Capoeira—principles like malandragem (cleverness and street smarts), ginga (the constant, elusive movement), and resistência (unyielding resistance)—to the act of simply living our lives during this specific period?
This is a manual for thriving, not just surviving, during the tenure of President Trump’s administration. We aim to offer a capoeirista’s perspective on cultivating inner balance, maintaining focus amidst confusion, and utilizing the energy of the roda—the world around us—to our own advantage. The ultimate, ambitious goal is not merely to get through the next four years unscathed, but to emerge on the other side of the “Trump era” stronger, more aware, more capable, and ultimately, better human beings than we were when we entered it. This is about personal growth and communal strength, using the unique lens of the Angoleiro to navigate the modern political landscape.
The Angoleiro, a practitioner of the oldest and most traditional form of this Afro-Brazilian art, is inherently equipped for survival. Our discipline is forged in the crucible of resistance, subterfuge, and adaptation—skills honed over centuries, initially against the brutality of slavery and colonial oppression. This guide is a call to translate the core principles of Capoeira Angola into a framework for resilience in the face of political turmoil and authoritarian currents.
I. The Mandinga: Strategy, Subterfuge, and Political Jogo
The mandinga is the elusive, deceptive, and intelligent heart of Capoeira Angola. It is not mere trickery, but a deep, intuitive understanding of the jogo (the game) that allows the Angoleiro to survive against a physically superior opponent.
- Study the Roda: The first step to survival is understanding the environment. Just as you analyze the energy, rhythm, and participants in the roda, you must analyze the political landscape. Who holds power? What are the attack patterns (policies, rhetoric, executive orders)? What are the vulnerabilities?
- Aparência Engana (Appearance Deceives): The Angoleiro often adopts a low, slow, seemingly vulnerable stance. This invites the opponent to overcommit, creating a massive opening for a counter-attack or escape. In political life, this means choosing your battles wisely. Not every provocation requires a full-force, frontal assault. Sometimes, the most powerful resistance is the quiet, decentralized work that builds infrastructure, community, and alternative power structures outside the attention of the dominant regime.
- The Power of the Unexpected Balao: A balao (takedown) in Angola often comes from a position of seeming disadvantage. Use the opponent’s momentum and weight against them. Politically, this translates to utilizing surprising forms of resistance, legal challenges, and coalition-building that cross traditional lines and catch the power structure off-guard.
II. Ginga: The Rhythmic Movement of Endurance
The ginga is the fundamental, constant rocking motion of Capoeira Angola. It is not just a dance step; it is perpetual readiness, equilibrium, and the maintenance of a low center of gravity.
- Adaptation is Constant: The ginga ensures you are never static, never an easy target. Policies shift, rhetoric changes, and the threats evolve daily. Your strategy must ginga—it must be fluid, constantly adjusting to maintain balance without losing forward momentum.
- Conserve Your Energy: The ginga is an economical movement. Surviving a long-term political struggle requires endurance, not a series of sprints. Learn to pace your activism, prioritize your mental health, and reserve your most powerful actions for the moments they will be most effective. Avoid burnout by finding sustainable ways to stay engaged.
- The Low Ginga: Staying close to the ground provides stability and access to powerful sweeps (rasteiras). Politically, this means staying grounded in your community, prioritizing local organizing, and protecting the most vulnerable. Grassroots power is the low ginga that stabilizes the entire movement.
III. Protecting the Vulneráveis (The Vulnerable)
Capoeira Angola’s history is inextricably linked to the protection of marginalized communities. The roda itself is a sanctuary, a place where the enslaved could practice resistance disguised as culture.
- The Berimbau as a Warning: The berimbau sets the tone and tempo, communicating vital information. Pay attention to the early warnings—the rhetoric that targets specific groups, the policies that erode civil liberties. Do not wait for the storm; begin preparations at the first change in the toque (rhythm).
- Forming the Comunidade (Community): Never enter the roda alone. Surround yourself with trusted allies. During this administration, survival hinges on the strength of our inter-community bonds. Support immigrant rights organizations, civil liberties groups, and human rights watchdogs. Make your physical and virtual spaces sanctuaries for those targeted by the regime.
- The Call and Response (Chamada): The Angoleiro uses a call and response to invite their partner into the jogo, maintaining respect and control. In times of political division, maintain the ability to communicate, even with those who disagree, to find common ground necessary for broader resistance and mutual aid.
To truly survive and even thrive during challenging political times, one must adopt the philosophy and practice of the Mestre, the master teacher and revered community leader in the world of Capoeira Angola. This figure embodies more than just physical prowess; they represent profound wisdom, unyielding resilience, and the essential ability to adapt—qualities indispensable for navigating an unpredictable administration.
Be Wise (Saber): The wisdom of the Mestre is rooted in observation and strategic thought. It demands a clear-eyed understanding of the political roda (the Capoeira circle), recognizing the movements of power, the traps (rasteiras), and the opportunities for counter-action. Do not react impulsively; instead, analyze the landscape, choose your battles carefully, and understand that every action has a consequence. Knowledge is your most potent defense.
Be Resilient (Resistir): Resilience is the bedrock of survival. The Mestre has faced countless challenges and has been knocked down, only to rise again, stronger and more determined. This administration may bring waves of uncertainty, policy shifts, and emotional fatigue. Your resistência must be unwavering—the capacity to absorb the blows, maintain your core principles, and continuously push back against adversity without breaking. Your spirit, like the berimbau‘s sound, must remain strong and clear.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 