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

Matthias Röhrig Assunção (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sport in the Global Society | Publication Date: October 3, 2002

Originally the preserve of Afro-Brazilian slaves, the marginalized and the underclasses in Brazilian society, capoeira is now a mainstream sport, taught in Brazilian schools and practised by a range of social classes around the world. Some advocates now seek Olympic recognition for Capoeira.
This apparent change in the meaning and purpose of Capeoira has led to conflicts between traditionalists, who view capoeira as their heritage descended from the maroons, a weapon to be used against the injustice and repression; and reformers, who wish to see Capoeira develop as an international sport.
Capoeira: The History of Afro-Brazilian Martial Art explores Capoeira as a field of confrontation where the different struggles that divide Brazilian society are played out. It contains both the first comprehensive English language review of archive and contemporary literature relating to Capoeira, as well as the first scholarly account of Capoeira's history and development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In seven meticulously researched chapters, based on archival research, the published historical research in Portuguese and English, interviews with 17 masters, and analysis of twelve capoeira magazines published in Brazil, the USA and Germany, Assuncao contrasts the popular myths that capoeira enthusiasts share with the sober facts.' -Sport, Education and Society

'This is by a wide margin the best book yet published on the history of capoeira, in any language. Matthias Rohrig Assuncao has done the archival digging that most previous authors have been unable or unwilling to undertake, and has avoided the essentialism and willful invention of tradition that pervade the most popular accounts.' - American Historical Review

'As a work of historical scholarship, this book is consistently topnotch. It is required reading for anyone who cares about capoeira, and strongly recommended for all those interested in modern Brazil and Latin American popular culture more generally.'

 - American Historical Review

About the Author

Matthias Röhrig Assunção studied history and Latin American Studies in Paris (Vincennes, Jussieu and Sorbonne Nouvelle). After some years spent carrying out field research in Brazil he completed his PhD at the Free University in Berlin. From 1985 to 1992 he taught History at the Latin American Institute in Berlin, before going to the University of Essex, UK in 1993. He is currently Lecturer for the Department of History and the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Essex, UK. His publications include a history of plantation society in Maranhão, Northern Brazil, an oral history of a peasant and slave revolt in the same province, and the edition of an anthology of the Brazilian baroque poet Gregório de Mattos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (October 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714680869
• ISBN-13: 978-0714680866
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #818,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating history of the art..., March 16, 2005

By 

David M. Cvet (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capoeira: The History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art (Sport in the Global Society) (Paperback)

Matthias Röhrig Assunção draws on historical fact to propose a view of Capoeira's development as a martial art. Through research, and much like many of us, through objective interpretation he ascertains what is reality, and what is fiction. Furthermore, he relates the common myths surrounding Capoeira to the people who need them, and proposes that at times myths are exactly what inspires individuals. He is, however, an advocate of fact, truth, and reality; and this shows in his work.

The book is by far the most in depth work on Capoeira written in English to date. (To the best of my knowledge) It's perspective is born of inquisition rather then the "gospel truth" word of mouth tradition so common in Capoeira circles.
Bravo !!! I am sincerely touched now that this book has been published, for I myself have been attempting various essays regarding some of the topics explored here. I am glad that the perspective came from a source so well educated, and through such a large spectrum of information. I have received educated reason to back many opinions I have had to date.

Salve,
Instrutor LoboGuara (Associacao Cordao de Contas do Canada)
Paul Bielak and David M. Cvet

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a model for other martial art books, July 12, 2006

By 

College teacher - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capoeira: The History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art (Sport in the Global Society) (Paperback)

I've been reading martial art books for the past sixteen years, and this has to be one of the best. As a practitioner and an academic I have to say this is a welcome addition to any martial arts library whether or not you practice capoeira. This is an extremely well researched, well-footnoted book by a professional historian who has the requisite language and archival skills needed to do justice to the topic. It also traces the historiography of the art, i.e. it critically and convincingly addresses what other scholars have written about capoeira in English and Portuguese.
The price is an issue, and it is well known that books published by Routledge are outrageously expensive (which is why many authors try to publish elsewhere). But if you are serious about capoeira, or need to know how martial art books should be written, then spend the 50$. Although 224 pages doesn't sound like much, this is a book packed with information that has serious implications for thinking about how capoeira history has been appropriated as a political activity. For instructors of capoeira I would advise them to buy this book before they say anything more to their students about capoeira hitsory.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Elitist, July 3, 2007

By 

The Djeli (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capoeira: The History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art (Sport in the Global Society) (Paperback)

The problem with this book is that He is only using written accounts of Capoeira to validate his views. Many other reviewers mistakenly regard this as "scholarly". It down plays any other perspective about the history, origin, or practice of Capoeira as "questionable" because it was not written about at a certain time.

The problem with this attitude is that it leaves Capoeira's definition in the hands of the white slave owners of Brasil who were writing about it. It neglects the fact that just because someone did not write about something it did not happen. Capoeira's origins, as the author acknowledges is from Angola. These people were followers of oral learning not written learning. It is elitist to suggest that the writing (especially when written by outsiders who were also bias slave holders) is more valuable than the oral traditions.

Capoeira is African. And most of Africa is oral in traditions of learning and recording...thus it is only fair to acknowlege these oral legacies over the outsiders written response to a martial art he did not understand or respect.