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...)

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)

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Customer Reviews

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...

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.

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.