Special Events

Special Events:Capoeira Dancing

Capoeira Angola is a danced fight, involving style, wit, flexibility and strategy. It weaves intricate movements, spirituality, mental and physical discipline,struggle and philosophy into a unique game (jogo). It is very rhythmic and ritualistic, and like other African-based traditions, is orally transmitted from master to student. This style uses all parts of the body and mind to achieve a mastery of the game.
As an African-Brasilian martial art form, it was used by enslaved Africans to combat the colonial oppression of the Portuguese rulers. Its practitioners used this powerful weapon during revolts and in defense of the Quilombos, communities of former slaves who organized according to African cultural forms.
Our group is FICA (International Capoeira Angola Foundation). We are based in Oakland, and also practice in San Francisco. Our teacher is Rogerio Teber, from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Other groups with FICA are based in Washington D.C. (Mestre Cobrinha) and Seattle, Washington (Mestre Juranjin). FICA Oakland accepts students of all ages, and is looking into the possibility of starting children's group. For more information, FICA Oakland can be temporarily reached via John Muir Elementary School in San Francisco.
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