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Capoeira:
The Ancient Brazilian Fighting Dance, Lives On Today.
The public practice of Capoeira was outlawed until 1920 and its instruction wasn't legalized until 1951, but all of its symbolism and rituals have survived and are taught today around the world. To move up the ranks, one must learn the Portuguese songs about the historical relations between the enslaved Africans and the Dutch and Portuguese; master the fluid movements and acrobatics; and play the instruments -- the berimbau, a bow-shaped string instrument; the atabaque, a conga drum; and the pandiero, a tambourine.
"Capoeira is the only martial art where music and singing are integrated into the fighting," Queimado says. The blend provides a pulse while the students stand in a circle and clap along as two spar or "play" in the middle. This arrangement is called a Roda, pronounced "Hoda." The playing resembles a courtship combining abstract twirls and leaps with deliberate thrusts at exposed weaknesses. The essence of Capoeira is to flow harmoniously with every element: acrobatics, dancing, fighting, singing and music. But each capoeirista is alone in the roda, each testing their own abilities to survive. "In the roda, you learn to hit, fight, defend, bleed and say when you've had enough," says Queimado. "Capoeira is a metaphor for life for us."
 The children in Queimado's class grasp bits and pieces of Capoeira's significance, which is a good start, he says. He takes one step at a time so they become aware of history and life beyond the studio. "Very few black people in this country know about themselves," says Queimado. "I want them to be able to articulate to other people what Capoeira is." Queimado is helping children become more rounded and more interesting since starting a class in Bedford-Stuyvesant. They don't know a lot of people like Queimado, so he has developed status as a role model. "It gives me pleasure
to see them develop into young practitioners of Capoeira," he says speaking of his class. "Some kids under ten are outstanding and if they keep it up, they are going to be scary." Daniel Jones, 9, has been going to Queimado's Capoeira class for three years. Nicknamed "Parabenes," meaning "Congratulations," he has excelled and now attends adult Capoeira classes in Manhattan. "You think it's work but it's really fun," he says. But Capoeira, like life, is not easy. If Queimado's students try what Capoeira is on the surface but imbibe what it embodies below the surface, then they can make better sense of the world. "They never have to train again," he says. "But at least they'll know more about themselves." They will also know teachings of Capoeira apply to everything outside themselves -- even law offices. Despite injustices of the past, the difficulties of the present or the uncertainties of the future, Queimado's core objective for his students remains -- never be defeated.
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