Republic Polytechnic Capoeira puts the art in martial art

SINGAPORE – Two Republic Polytechnic (RP) students circle each other, ever watchful, to the sound of traditional Brazilian instruments and singing in Portuguese.

Suddenly, they explode into a flurry of kicks, spins and other acrobatic tricks. Yet, there is no contact; the misses, near or not, are intentional.

This is capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian sport and game. It combines an acrobatic martial art with dance and music.

It is practised in the “roda”, a circular space within which the players engage each other, formed by capoeiristas – as the practitioners are called – and those clapping, singing and playing musical instruments.

RP is currently the only poly in Singapore to offer capoeira as a co-curricular activity (CCA).

Republic Polytechnic Capoeira – as the interest group is aptly named – was founded in 2007 as an answer to capoeira’s growing popularity in the Republic.

It currently has 25 active members.

First created by African slaves in Brazil in the 18th century to practise self-defence, the sport has since spread internationally and garnered worldwide popularity.

Republic Polytechnic Capoeira puts on five performances annually for special events like RP’s open house, orientation and the annually-held Momentum dance festival.

These performances often blend capoeira with elements of modern dance.

The group also participates in external events organised by other capoeira groups where they practise a more traditional form of the art.

One such event is an annual ceremony at Saudacao Capoeira Singapore – an academy offering classes for both kids and adults – where students demonstrate their skills, and receive their first cord (belt) or advance to a new one according to their growth and dedication to the sport.

The RP Capoeira group meets up to three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – for two-hour-long training sessions.

The training sessions usually focus on physical conditioning and martial arts techniques, though it is common for members to stay back after hours to practice playing traditional Brazilian instruments, such as the “atabaque” (wooden hand drum) and the “berimbau” (musical bow), which are necessary for the traditional “roda”.

Second-year integrated events management student Clemente Sharabelle Fraga first chanced upon the interest group after watching a performance during a CCA fair.

The 18-year-old said: “The blend of martial arts with dance was so cool. I felt like I didn’t have much to lose by giving it a try.”

Graduating third-year biotechnology student Shannon Lee said: “I think the unique culture and history of capoeira makes it a very friendly and inclusive environment.”

The 19-year-old added: “You don’t have to be sporty or extroverted in order to participate in (capoeira). I’ve never been surrounded by such a diverse group of people (before).”

Participating students undergo intense physical training that involves push-ups, splits and weekly runs; but they are also expected to play different musical instruments and even sing in Portuguese.

Ms Lee said: “I come from a performing arts background, so I struggled with flexibility and stamina when I first started. It took a lot of encouragement and time for me to get used to it.

“Initially, (the training) was tough but as you train week in, week out, your body gets conditioned to the rigour.”

Ms Lee feels that her time practising capoeira has been fulfilling and enjoyable. Though she will be graduating soon, she said that she plans on regularly visiting RP Capoeira to train with juniors, and save up money for her to attend Capoeira classes at external studios.

She added: “Capoeira has taught me to be more disciplined and try my best every day.”

“Mestre” (master in Portuguese) Claudinho, who goes by one name, has served as the coach for RP Capoeira since its inception.

He said that the students in RP Capoeira were dedicated and committed. “They make my job very easy,” he quipped. “The students (here) are all hungry to learn, so it’s easy for me to pass down capoeira’s history and techniques.

“The (capoeira community) in Singapore is not very big, but because of that, we’re very tight-knit.”

When asked about what she enjoys most about the interest group, Ms Fraga said that there was something new for her to learn at each session.

She said: “Whether it’s learning a new technique, or the history of a new song, there’s always something intriguing for me to appreciate.”

Songs performed in capoeira sessions often tell the stories or the history of the African community in Brazil, and students are encouraged to not just learn the lyrics, but also the stories, history and meaning behind the music.

For example, one of capoeira’s most popular songs, Paranaue, was allegedly created by Brazilian slaves-turned-soldiers during the Paraguayan War, who had been promised their freedom should they return victorious from war.

Ms Fraga added: “(Capoeira) has taught me to keep an open mind and always stay curious. I think there’s something here for everyone.”