The stormy weather today reminds me of one of the many amazing experiences I’ve had doing capoeira.
It was many years ago, relatively early in my capoeira training. It was either a Tuesday or Thursday night at the main Axé Capoeira Arizona academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it was raining hard. It was one of those storms in Arizona where the thunder crashes with loud startling sounds, and lightening spiders through the sky extremely long and bright. On that particular evening, the winds were so strong a tree had been pulled out of the ground and was resting in the middle of Scottsdale Road. There must have been accidents somewhere close by – police lights were out and traffic was being diverted.
There were many people in class that night. The academy windows were fogged up by the contrast of the body heat of our training and the cool air outside. Camara arrived and at the end of our training, the bateria assembled and everyone gathered around to form the roda. As we began to sing the storm became stronger and the lights in the academy began to flicker. We continued to sing and play and as the sky crackled and flashed bright above us, the lights in the academy went completely out…
The roda did not stop. The berimbau didn’t miss a strike of the arame, and the benguela toque remained steady as capoeiristas continued to play and buy games in the roda. The call and response of the songs didn’t subside. In a matter of seconds, some of the capoeiristas and students that made up the roda quickly grabbed their cell phones and used them to provide a little light so that we could continue the jogo (playing the game) of capoeira.
I still remember that day as vividly today as if it happened yesterday, and it will always be one of my favorite rodas. Were there a bunch of amazing games? Were we still kicking super fast? Were all of the students still flying through the air? Yes and no. It wasn’t my favorite roda because of the games that were played, the songs that were sang, or the people and capoeiristas that were there. It is one of my favorites and stands out to me as a representation of the strength of capoeira because we did not stop. In those minutes, we quickly adjusted and extended considerations to one another in order to continue the roda. We were more careful and deliberate with our kicks and ginga. Some provided a little light, while others played the instruments and lead the songs.
My time in capoeira is very young, but I believe that as a result of our contemporary experience with capoeira, the roda has becomes more delicate and sometimes may end and/or is disrupted by a ‘bad’ game, a training exercise, or low energy. I appreciate that on that stormy day, we kept the capoeira alive through and in darkness.
As a teacher and practitioner of capoeira, I hope to continue my commitment to keeping this art-form strong and alive even through the challenges and storms of life.
Sombra
Axé Capoeira Tucson
www.axecapoeira-tucson
520-990-1820
