I’M NOT A GENIUS!!!

Greetings!

The title is NOT click bait.

Many times when you create content, or establish a website dedicated to a specific topic, it often leads to assumptions of you having a lot of expertise on that topic; these assumptions can sometimes elevate your credibility among peers and your audience.

Nonetheless, it’s important to emphasize that true expertise and official titles are not always the primary drivers behind the sharing of valuable insights. Many individuals contribute meaningful information from a place of passion, personal experience, or extensive research, even without formal credentials.

I created this page as a comprehensive bibliography of books, documentaries, and resources that I’ve utilized throughout my journey in exploring the vibrant world of capoeira for this website. Each item listed reflects not only my dedication to learning from various people but also my commitment to sharing authentic knowledge.

While there are indeed many capoeira materials available in various formats, I take pride in owning and having read most of these books, which have significantly enriched my understanding.

If you’re curious about further details, you can easily find more information by clicking on the titles, which will lead you to insightful descriptions and additional context about each resource, enhancing your own exploration of capoeira.

Okay, here we go.

Elementos Basicos de Capoeira de Angola

The ABC & Bay-Ah-Bah of Capoeira

Besouro Preto Comic Book

These 3 books were written by Edward Powe, and you can find them on DAN AIKI PUBLICATIONS.

Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Edward L. Powe has a Ph.D. in African Languages and Literature (specializing in Hausa) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MA in Linguistics (minor in Arabic) from Indiana University-Bloomington, and a BA (with distinction) in Spanish (minor in Portuguese) from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He has traveled extensively in Africa, India, the Indian Ocean, Latin America, Indonesia, and Melanesia and has occupied various administrative and teaching positions in the US and abroad. His web site is www.blacfoundation.org.

If you click on these titles below, you can go to the amazon.com webpages where you can buy them, and read them for yourself.

Capoeira Angola Movements: Capoeira Angola Movements a study guide for Capoeira Angola students

by Curtis Pierre


Capoeira: The Jogo de Angola from Luanda to Cyberspace, Volume One

by Gerard Taylor


Capoeira: The Jogo de Angola from Luanda to Cyberspace, Volume Two

by Gerard Taylor

Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice

by Bira Almeida

The Little Capoeira Book, Revised Edition

by Nestor Capoeira and Alex Ladd

Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game

by Nestor Capoeira

A Street-Smart Song: Capoeira Philosophy and Inner Life

by Nestor Capoeira

Capoeira and Candomblé: Conformity And Resistance In Brazil

by Floyd Merrell

The Capoeira Guidebook: Investigations into the Culture, History, and Philosophy of the Afro-Brazilian Art

by Evan Wedsworth

by: Simon Whyatt, Cinzia Barberis, et al.

Book One: Bimba’s Rhythm is One, Two, Three: From Resistance to Transformation Through Brazilian Capoeira

by: Lang Maria Liu


Book Two: Bimba’s Rhythm is One, Two, Three: The Many Faces of Capoeira

by: Lang Maria Lui


Book Three: Bimba’s Rhythm is One, Two, Three: Closing the Circle of Capoeira

by: Lang Maria Liu

Capoeira Over 40

by: Chris Roel

Life and Reflections of a Warrior: Through the Universe of Capoeira

by: Mestre Casquinha

The Hidden History of Capoeira: A Collision of Cultures in the Brazilian Battle Dance

by: Maya Talmon-Chvaicer

The Impact of Fingers on The Steel String/ O impacto dos Dedos No Arame: A cross sectional study on the use of berimbau as a musical instrument/ Um … do Uso do Berimbau Como Instrumento Musical

by: Prof Geisan Varne

Capoeira Beyond Brazil

by: Aniefre Essien

The Path of Capoeira: Teaching, Philosophy and Lessons Learnt

by: Arturo Hamelitz-Urena

Social Justice: A Gym Class Transformed (Global Intersectionality of Education, Sport, Race, and Gender)

Book 1 of 2: Global Intersectionality of Education, Sports, Race, and Gender

Capoeira, Mobility, and Tourism: Preserving an Afro-Brazilian Tradition in a Globalized World (The Anthropology of Tourism: Heritage, Mobility, and Society)

Part of: The Anthropology of Tourism: Heritage, Mobility, and Society (13 Books)

Mandinga da capoeira: The steps of the capoiera

by: Agnaldo Gabriel Ribeiro

Ring of Liberation: Deceptive Discourse in Brazilian Capoeira

by: J. Lowell Lewis

Learning Capoeira: Lessons in Cunning from an Afro-Brazilian Art

by: Greg Downey

Capoeira: An Exercise of the Soul

by: C. Daniel Dawson

Capoeira: The History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art (Sport in the Global Society)

by: Matthias Röhrig Assunção


This comprehensive list of resources on capoeira is just the beginning. My research is ongoing and will continually expand to include more materials dedicated to this fascinating and multifaceted discipline. Capoeira is a rich art form that seamlessly blends physical movement with profound cultural and historical significance. Originating in Brazil as a sophisticated self-defense technique and dance, it was developed by enslaved Africans as a powerful means to gain mobility, autonomy, and cultural expression in the face of oppression. This unique fusion allowed practitioners to covertly practice martial arts under the guise of dance, fostering both physical prowess and a strong sense of community and cultural identity.

The journey into capoeira reveals endless opportunities for learning and personal growth. As practitioners engage, they discover the intricate and harmonious relationships between rhythm, dynamic movement, and the vibrant music that accompanies each session, acting as both a guide and an energizer. The music, typically featuring instruments like the berimbau, atabaque, and pandeiro, sets the tempo and mood, influencing the “game” (jogo) played by two practitioners within a circle (roda). This art form is beautifully influenced by diverse styles and variations, ranging from forms that emphasize astounding agility and breathtaking acrobatics, often seen in styles like Capoeira Regional, to styles that incorporate more grounded movements and slower, more deliberate tempos, characteristic of Capoeira Angola, which emphasizes tradition, ritual, and strategy. This rich diversity makes capoeira a lifelong pursuit, brimming with opportunities for personal exploration, profound discovery, and the continuous mastery of its intricate elements. In this incredible journey, each movement and every encounter not only offers a chance for growth in physical skill and prowess but also fosters a deep and meaningful connection with the broader community and its enduring traditions. The communal aspect of the roda, where participants take turns playing instruments, singing, and engaging in the jogo, strengthens bonds and reinforces a collective identity, inviting individuals to explore their creativity, cultivate discipline, and express their unique selves through this dynamic and evolving practice.

As practitioners engage in the fluid, dance-like movements, they learn to communicate without words, transcending language barriers and emphasizing a powerful sense of unity and shared experience among participants. The call-and-response singing and the non-verbal dialogue between players in the roda create a unique form of communication, fostering empathy and understanding. Moreover, the rhythmic beats of the music that accompany capoeira sessions serve as an indispensable element, enhancing the entire experience by providing a vibrant and pulsing backdrop that fuels the energy, intensity, and emotional depth of the practice. Beyond the sheer physicality and technical aspects, capoeira evolves into a truly transformative journey where individuals cultivate unwavering resilience, developing both physical and mental fortitude to overcome challenges. It fosters a profound sense of belonging to a global community, connecting practitioners across continents through a shared passion and respect for the art form. Capoeira is far more than a simple sequence of movements; it is a holistic and deeply integrated cultural phenomenon. Through the physical discipline of its movements—the sweeping rasteiras, the acrobatic aús, and the defensive esquivas—the practitioner develops not only unparalleled physical conditioning, agility, and balance but also a profound mental focus and discipline. The music, driven by the rhythmic heartbeat of the berimbau, the resonant calls of the atabaque, and the sharp timbre of the pandeiro, serves as the soul of the roda. It dictates the speed, intensity, and style of the game, transforming the physical exchange into a complex dialogue and an improvised performance.

Moreover, the philosophy of capoeira—often encapsulated in concepts of community, respect (respeito), malícia (a blend of cunning and cleverness), and mutual support—provides a moral and ethical framework for its practitioners. This framework extends beyond the roda, influencing their approach to life. By delving into the art, individuals are inevitably led to uncover the rich historical and cultural narratives that profoundly enrich their understanding and appreciation of this unique and powerful art form. These narratives trace capoeira’s origins back to enslaved Africans in Brazil who disguised their fighting techniques as dance, connecting its modern-day practice to a powerful and enduring legacy of resistance against oppression, profound creativity in the face of adversity, and the indomitable human spirit.

It is a living, breathing tradition that has traveled the globe, continually adapting and incorporating new influences while fiercely maintaining its core identity. This dynamic evolution offers endless layers of discovery for those who commit to its practice, ensuring that the journey of a capoeirista is one of continuous growth, cultural immersion, and personal transformation. Capoeira truly stands as a vibrant testament to the resilience of human culture, a perpetual dance between fight and freedom..