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INTERVIEWS:

Capoeira

By George Ancona
Illustrations by George Ancona

George Ancona photo

Capoeira! It’s a game! It’s a dance! It’s a martial art! It’s a way of expressing yourself through acrobatic movements and pounding, rhythmic music! From its historical beginnings in Brazil to today’s capoeira academies, capoeira is quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. George Ancona, author and photographer of the book, shares some of his stories about capoeira and how he discovered the game.

The first time Ancona saw capoeira being played, he was on a street in Salvador, Bahia. “Forty years ago I was on assignment, doing a film documentary about Brazil,” the author remembers. “I was filming in the streets when I heard unusual music coming from the middle of a crowd of people.” What Ancona saw was two young men leaping and kicking at each other to the musical accompaniment of a cluster of musicians. “They were singing and playing berimbaus, pandeiros and other percussion instruments,” says Ancona.

The author has gone to Brazil many times to visit friends and family; but once he decided to write a book about capoeira, he started to go to conduct research and take photographs. “I began meeting groups of capoeiristas there and visited capoeira schools.” He also visited academies in, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City in the United States. In Oakland, California, he discovered Mandinga Academy and liked that the students there were so diverse. Ancona took many photographs of the children at Mandinga playing capoeira. “I wanted to give the reader a feeling of being in the middle of the two players. This was difficult to do, since I had to lie on the floor as close as I dared and look up at the players,” says Ancona. “As soon as I’d settle down they would somersault to another place in the roda [circle]!”

The author says he has always been very impressed and sometimes even surprised by capoeira. “I was impressed with the joy in the expressions of the children as they played what could be a deadly game,” Ancona comments. “I was also surprised by the sense of responsibility, respect, and discipline that existed in every academy I visited. When playing capoeira, one becomes very aware of one’s self in relationship to what’s around you. It’s very interesting to see this in young people.” Capoeira has the unique ability to celebrate both togetherness and individuality. “Capoeira is amazing. Each group or academy becomes a family, and each person is celebrated for his or her individuality. Each student, master, and teacher is given a nickname that points out something unique about that person.” Capoeira began as a way for African slaves in Brazil to fight for their freedom and independence. Ancona says, “I would like for readers to know that these skills are not just for fighting. They can be turned into a means of expression, an art form that celebrates and respects the differences among us.” George Ancona lives with his wife in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

About This Title

Guided Reading:

T

Lexile:

950L

Interest Level:

Grades 2 - 7

Reading Level:

Grades 3 - 3

Themes

Nonfiction, Sports, Latino/Hispanic/Mexican Interest, Games/Toys, Dance, Leadership, California, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Collaboration, Holidays/Traditions, Informational Text, Persistence/Grit, Photographic Illustrations, Self Control/Self Regulation, Sports History, African/African American Interest

Collections

Fluent English, Fluent Dual Language , Athletes and Sports, High-Low Books for Preteens (Grades 4-6), Nonfiction Grades 3-6, Informational Nonfiction Grades 3-6, English Informational Text Middle School, Nonfiction Collection Middle School, RITELL Grades 3-6 Collection, California Book Collection , Appendix B Diverse Collection Grades 3-6, Pedro Noguera Diverse Collection Grades 6-8, Latin American Collection English 6PK, English Guided Reading Level T, Latin American English Collection Middle School, High-Low Books for Teens: Middle and High School

More Info

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