See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

20 used & new from $5.94

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice (Paperback)

by Bira Almeida (Author) "ONE experiences the essence of Capoeira playing one kind of athletic game called jogo de capoeira..." (more)
Key Phrases: other capoeiristas, capoeira angola, minha terra, Mestre Bimba, Rio de Janeiro, Mestre Pastinha (more...)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


5 new from $44.10 15 used from $5.94

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game

Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game

by Nestor Capoeira
4.7 out of 5 stars (6)  $15.00
A Street-Smart Song: Capoeira Philosophy and Inner Life

A Street-Smart Song: Capoeira Philosophy and Inner Life

by Nestor Capoeira
5.0 out of 5 stars (2)  $14.96
The Little Capoeira Book

The Little Capoeira Book

by Nestor Capoeira
Ring of Liberation: Deceptive Discourse in Brazilian Capoeira

Ring of Liberation: Deceptive Discourse in Brazilian Capoeira

by J. Lowell Lewis
4.0 out of 5 stars (6)  $22.00
Learning Capoeira: Lessons in Cunning from an Afro-Brazilian Art

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

by Greg Downey
4.8 out of 5 stars (4)  $25.15
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

About the Author
Bira Almeida was born in Salvador, Brazil, in 1943. As Mestre Acordeon, he is on of ten mestres certified by Mestre Bimba, Patron of Capoeira. A playwright, songwriter, vocalist, and musician, as well as a teacher of capoeira, Bira Almeida created the Grupo Folclorico de Politecnica which toured Europe. Almeida is founder and first president of the World Capoeira Association.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 2 edition (February 1, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0938190296
  • ISBN-13: 978-0938190295
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #25 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Folk

Inside This Book (learn more)

Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2 books:
 
3 books cite this book:


Books on Related Topics (learn more)
 
Africana by Kwame Anthony Appiah
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice
48% buy the item featured on this page:
Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form: History, Philosophy, and Practice 4.8 out of 5 stars (13)
Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game
17% buy
Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game 4.7 out of 5 stars (6)
$15.00
The Little Capoeira Book
16% buy
The Little Capoeira Book 4.8 out of 5 stars (30)
A Street-Smart Song: Capoeira Philosophy and Inner Life
12% buy
A Street-Smart Song: Capoeira Philosophy and Inner Life 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
$14.96

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and moving exploration of capoeira, October 30, 1999
By A Customer
It's a good thing that among the few books in english about capoeira that we have this book! If you're looking to learn capoeira techniques or tricks, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn the history, philosophy and cultural background of this amazing art look no further. Part history book, part dreamlike and ludic personal travel log on the journey down the path of capoeira, this book does the near impossible and captures the beauty, playfulness and wisdom of capoeira and puts in on the written page. If you're even slightly interested in the art of capoeira, buy this book...
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Passionate martial artists review, December 28, 1999
By A Customer
A Great book about the history and and philosophy of Capoeira. When I saw that Bira was the Author I had to get it (He was my Mestre, Mestre Acordeon). If you want a book with lots of pictures of moves and stuff, look elsewhere. If you want to know more then just the physical movements I strongly recommend this book.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. Very Informative., July 5, 2000
By A Customer
The book Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form was not only well-written but was interesting as well. This book educates you about the history of capoeira, capoeira practitioners, and even a short summary of how Mestre Acordeon was introduced to the art of capoeira. I would highly reccomend this book to capoeiristas, as it was very helpful to me. Axé.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Capoeira Book
Amazing book, absolutely amazing. It is not for the person wanting to learn how to do capoeira, but for anyone, beginner or master, who wants to read a great history and personal... Read more
Published on February 18, 2007 by Edward John Schneiders

3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay but you could do better
This book is just an "okay" introductory text on capoeira. A major draw back is the centeral focus on capoeira regional, a better text would be "Ring of Liberation" because it... Read more
Published on September 7, 2006 by IAPE

5.0 out of 5 stars Remains an Excellent Introduction to Capoeira
Mestre Acordeon's book has long been praised for its clear writing, for his thoughtful coverage of the history, philosophy, and artistic traditions surrounding this art-form... Read more
Published on August 26, 2005 by Nancy L. Watterson

5.0 out of 5 stars 100% Capoeira
Mestre Acordeon takes you on a journey through capoeira, sharing his experiences and inviting the reader to use his imagination. Read more
Published on August 11, 2002 by Simon Rijsdam

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my favorite Capoeira book ever!
Mestre Acordeon is the ultimate master of Capoeira. His stories show you many sides of Capoeira and how it has magically affected his life. Read more
Published on February 4, 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars First book which made Capoeira known outside Brazil
This was the first book about Capoeira which came over to Europe in 1983 and the first contact I got with this phenomenal art form. Read more
Published on September 1, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Curious to who teaches and where, consider it a need to know
I haven't been able to read this fine book quite yet, I have studied to my hearts content all I could on even the most foreign martial arts. Read more
Published on May 30, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic Capoeira book for english readers
This is a great book for anyone interested in Capoeira. The author is one of the first Capoeira masters to bring the art to the United States, and he presents a complete look at... Read more
Published on July 18, 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine handbook on this Brazilian martial art/dance.
An excellent choice for anyone interested in capoeira. Written by a "mestre" and teacher, it covers all the basics: the history of the art, its African origins, its... Read more
Published on June 23, 1998 by Karenatasha

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, rich history of this dancelike martial art.
Provides a vivid, intriguing intro & history of this playful, dancelike martial art & the music it's traditionally performed to. Read more
Published on February 24, 1998

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


So You'd Like to...


Look for Similar Items by Category


Get Within Reach

Shop for extension cords

Expand your power options with an extension cord. Get the cord type, indoor or outdoor, in the length you need in Lighting & Electrical.

Shop all extension cords

 

Best Books of 2008

Best of 2008
Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.
 

A Perfect Cut

Shop for router tables
A router table gives router owners even more options when using the most versatile tool in their workshop.

Shop for router tables now

 

Water Wisely

Shop for watering timers
Shop our selection of watering timers designed to help you keep your landscape looking its best without costly water bills.

See more landscaping tools

 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates