JAN 304 - Capoeira Angola: A Liberatory Practice From Somatic Movement Approach

Instructor(s):  Altan, Nefertiti
Email:  nca6@stmarys-ca.edu

Capoeira Angola is a cultural expression of African roots in Brazil that was/is a model of organizational resistance by Africans and their descendants against racist and repressive state violence naturalized through slavery. Through song, rhythm and improvised play, the form trains practitioners in not only the art of physical and spiritual self-defense, but also ritualizes ancestral memory, resistance and collectivity. Cultivated and propagated as a cultural practice by Mestre Pastinha in the 20th century, Capoeira Angola differs from Mestre Bimba’s Capoeira Regional by having greater emphasis on characteristics such as play, elegance, sustained timing, unique style, trickery, and low-level proximity with the opponent and the ground. 
 
 Referencing the Bartenieff fundamentals framework, participants will learn basic movement vocabulary fundamental to the practice that can offer an Afro-Brazilian technique for artists to reference in their creative work outside of the euro-centric models. Students will be asked to explore variations in space, timing and effort in the execution of phrases, to then be shared as an improvisational exercise in pairs in the roda, or group circle at the end of each week. Students will be encouraged to respond to or call in each other’s movements simultaneously or consecutively to generate a flowing space for improvisation and play. Classes end with a centering cool down, and reflections on the experience. 
 
 Capoeira Angola is an integrated cultural practice that involves singing and playing instruments along with the movement practices of those in the roda. Students will thus also learn the basic rhythms and techniques for playing instruments that are part of the capoeira universe, as well as the lyrics, contexts and call and response format of songs that have been passed down orally for generations. Movement classes will begin with a briefer centering practice, warm-up, as well as spatial awareness play so that students can continue experimenting with the steps/phrases. The roda will open up for students to share their explorations through improvisation, contact and play. Class will end with a video or photo sharing of the practice in its Brazilian context, and close with a discussion about the student’s experience with the dance form, and how it compared to what they saw in its context.
 
 The seminar format will include discussion on the contextual reading given for the week and in-class listening and light practice of the musical form tied to the specific dance form. Class discussion will be organized around 3 main questions per week given on the first class of each week. Small and large group discussions will be mapped out using butcher paper or Miro the online brainstorm board software tool. Discussion points and questions can be paraphrased or given symbolic images. The idea is for each session to have a map from which all students can reference when returning to movement exploration and deeper class discussion.
 

Prerequisites & Notes
None

Credits: 3-CU