My journey with Capoeira began unexpectedly in Trinidad & Tobago, where as a young boy, I was captivated by the movie “Only the Strong”. Little did I know then how this art form would shape my life and understanding of freedom and liberation.
While freedom and liberation are closely related, they carry distinct nuances:
- Freedom generally refers to the state of being unconstrained, with the ability to act or live as one wishes.
- Liberation implies the process of setting someone free from oppression or constraints, often suggesting a journey towards freedom.
My first-hand experience with Capoeira came years later at Central Park East Secondary School in East Harlem. This marked the beginning of a 20-year journey of learning, growing, and eventually becoming a teacher. Today, I co-lead a Capoeira group in Newburgh, NY, witnessing how this art form continues to liberate and empower our local community.
”The greatest teacher is an even greater student.
Grand Mestre NôSalvador Bahia, Brazil
In the context of Capoeira, both freedom and liberation are deeply relevant. Originating as a form of resistance for enslaved people, Capoeira continues to offer a path to both physical and mental liberation. As Grand Mestre Nô often says, “The greatest teacher is an even greater student.” This philosophy embodies a leadership style that recognizes wisdom within the community, not just the leader.
Capoeira’s liberatory nature becomes even more powerful when we consider current global struggles. The ongoing oppressions and genocides in places like Congo, Sudan, and Gaza remind us of the continued need for liberation movements. Capoeira, with its roots in resistance, offers a powerful metaphor for these struggles and a tool for personal and collective empowerment.
”Capoeira na roda. Capoeira na vida.
Grand Mestre NôSalvador Bahia, Brazil
“Capoeira na roda. Capoeira na vida.” – Grand Mestre Nô This simple yet profound statement suggests that Capoeira nourishes every aspect of life—a dance of balance, resilience, and transformation. Each movement in Capoeira feeds the soul:
The ginga, Capoeira’s fundamental movement, represents adaptability. Like water, it teaches us to swing with life’s challenges, sustaining our mental and physical agility.
The escapes and kicks symbolize the wind, reminding us of the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of oppression or sudden changes.
The music and rhythm shine like the sun, uplifting the spirit and fostering community connection. As we sing and move, we engage in a dialogue with our environment and each other, breaking free from societal limitations.
Grand Mestre Nô beautifully captures this when he speaks of Capoeira as a language of liberation. Through the art, we learn that true liberation begins within, as we harmonize our body’s ecosystem with the world around us.
As I reflect on my journey from a fascinated child in Trinidad to a Capoeira teacher in New York, I’m reminded that every step, every movement, is an opportunity to liberate our lives. In a world still grappling with oppression, Capoeira offers a powerful tool to transform challenges into dance and adversity into art, liberating not just the body, but also the soul.
Capoeira is more than a martial art; it’s a liberatory artform that combines movement, music, and community. It ignites personal liberation and freedom, while also serving as a metaphor for broader struggles against oppression worldwide. Through Capoeira, we learn to dance in the face of adversity, finding freedom in every movement and liberation in every rhythm.
