Venture into the Field House on any given afternoon, and you just
might find a group of students laughing, practicing kicks and walking across the
mats on their hands. Are they gymnasts? Not exactly. A bunch of friends just
having fun? Not entirely. They're the Capoeira Club, and they're practicing an
intricate Brazilian martial art.
Roberto Andrade '05 lifts Phil Lombardo '05 during a capoeira practice in the
Field House.
Capoeira's roots go back several hundred
years to African slaves. Because music is used in capoeira, slavemasters were
tricked into thinking it was a traditional African dance when, in fact, the
slaves were honing combat skills. So how did this unique martial art make its
way to Clinton? The credit goes to Roberto Andrade '05 and several friends,
including Phil Lombardo '05 and Shayna McHugh '05. Andrade, who had been
studying capoeira for six years, began introducing students to the art by
teaching his roommates and practicing on the North Quad. Curious students,
Lombardo and McHugh included, began asking if he could teach them. Eventually
Andrade decided to start a club that has grown into a group of about 12 students
who meet frequently to "play" capoeira.
"You don't fight in capoeira; you
play," Andrade explained. "The philosophy is about getting along." Consequently
these capoeiristas take their art seriously while at the same time having a lot
of fun. And although the group is very close, new members are always welcome.
"Capoeira can be a great way of meeting people," Andrade added. "People of any
skill level can drop by our meetings -- we work on the basics as well as
advanced skills, and all we ask is that you try."
The group has performed at
Culture Fest, a children's fair at the Kirkland Arts Center, the Alternative
Spring Break auction and an event for accepted students. Additionally they
received Student Assembly funding this semester and hope to purchase some
traditional Brazilian instruments. "Music is integral to capoeira -- to perform
well, you need to know how to sing and play the instruments and to work with the
spontaneous rhythm produced in each capoeira circle," Andrade said.
