Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game

by Nestor Capoeira

Book Overview

Capoeira is simultaneously a dance, a fight, and a game. Created by the Africans brought to Brazil as slaves beginning in 1500, capoeira was forbidden by law but survived underground. When open... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556434049
• ISBN13: 9781556434044
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Around the World and Across Time: Understanding the Global Perspective

Nestor Capoeira's book offers readers a powerful testimony to the history of capoeira. Written in a clear and informative style, Nestor's work is accessible to all. What I most appreciate about Capoeira: Roots of the Dance, Fight, Game, is that is both an excellent foundational piece for those new to the art-form's long-standing socio-cultural traditions AND one of the best references covering the inner-workings and politically-motivated debates that have taken place in the recent past. I particularly enjoyed the anthology of recent essays and updates he includes in the last 1/3 of the book: his own reflections on new elements in the history of capoeira and Muniz Sodre's perspectives that are informed by his experiences in Candomble. Nestor's experiences--both inside roda and inside the academic realm of research--will continue to be a touchstone for the next generations grappling with the ever-shifting and expanding global contexts of capoeira. I highly recommend this book! Axe ASCAB!

Delve deeper...

A very in-depth look into the history of capoeira that you WILL NOT learn from most mestres, especially those who only teach technique. Nestor gives a historical look at slavery's influence on capoeira, takes a contemporary look at capoeira's development, and offers illustrated basic to intermediate techniques. The most interesting thing is the examination of capoeira at a physical and metaphysical level, and how it affects the individual player as s/he progresses. A game, a fight, a dance, a way of life..? You decide.

Fantastic book, written with an open-minded view on Capoeira

Again a very good book by the hands of the famous Nestor Capoeira. This book shows many aspects of our beautiful art and shows various views on certain subjects by people who really know this art (Jair Moura, Mestre Itapoan and more). The book is written with an open mind like I know Mestre Nestor. His open-minded view shows in all the conversations and lectures I had with him. This book is really a must for the dedicated Capoeirista.

should be required reading for the serious capoeirista!

Wow - amazing book! This book explores capoeira in a very detailed historical, sociological and philosophical context. It presents sensible historical evidence for the evolution of capoeira and not just mythical hearsay. This book might be a little boring to someone with just a passing interest in capoeira, but it will be hard for a capoeira lover to put it down. Thanks, Nestor - Axé!

You Can't Go Wrong!

This is a very informative book. It gives you a lot of knowledge on the history of capoeira. It's like a more advanced version of "Ring of Liberation". It lacks all of the different moves that were shown in "The Little Capoeira Book", but it does provide you with great variations. This is a definite must have for all who are interested in Capoeira. So far, this is the best book out in English.