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  Topic: New Zealand identity and Capoeira
  Jujuba
  2006-09-21 12:02:04
Hello all,

Help out a capoeirista my Pasifika buddies... I am doing a project for Uni on Capoeira - because you know that once you get capoeira crazy it becomes insidious in your life :)

I am examining how Capoeira is important in the identity to New Zealand players, mainly because it IS different here (as far as I know) from how it is in Brazil and this has implications for what capoeira means to us and how we define ourselves.

There is obviously lots of incredible stuff on here already about what it means to everyone... but I was wondering what you think about my suggestions on what capoeira is in NZ... because the only ones that can really say what is is are the players!

What I think:
1.Capoeira is a form of resistence for NZers, but not in the way it is historically portrayed (we all know the stories) - it is a way of differentiating ourselves, of creating a culture within the group that extends beyond the movement.

2. Capoeira is about breaking out of NZ norms and creating a community within our quite 'individualistic' society

That's al i'll write for now - mainly what I want to know is why you all think that it works the way it does here - and how do you think it is different or the same from other capoeira?
  Centrado
  2006-09-28 13:11:57
Jujuba,

Centrado here. I would have to say that my perspective is a bit different from a native New Zealander.

I came here 3 1/2 years ago from San Francisco, and what I found was a popular culture that, well to be frank, didn't hold much for me. I have always tended to the odd, the unique, the interesting in any culture, and NZ was no exception. I take little if any interest in sport and that knocked me out of approx. 50% of standard male conversations and I don't watch television (there goes the other 50%). There was a time there where I never knew if I'd make real friends and bond with people here. Then I found capoeira.

In capoeira, I found a community that means more to me than I could have ever imagined. I feel like I can learn so much and give back in so many ways that I couldn't have done in normal NZ society.

I define my New Zealand identity to a large part by capoeira, because you people were the ones who took me and my family in. We can't see New Zealand without the roda at the center of it.
  AGENT OLDSKOOL
  2007-06-19 21:58:31
I WAS CLEANING OUT THE CLOSET WHEN I FOUND THIS THREAD UNDER M.BRABOS OLD CORDAO.BE SAD TO SEE IT GO TO WASTE...WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE HERE...HEY CURIOUS GEORGE!YOU BRING THAT WOODEN SPOON BACK,I GOT NOTHN TO STIR MY OAT GRAIN!
  Sticks
  2007-06-19 23:36:48
Capoeira for me has been a way for me to express my body in ways i couldnt imagine possible. its a good way to free your mind and allow your body to follow( in relation to the dance), develop the skills to be aware of your surroundings( in relation to the fighting) and allow yourself to have fun and just enjoy the moment( in relation to the game).
And thats my five cents worth!
any body got change for a dollar?...lol
  Pan�a
  2007-06-20 09:59:44
/sits back in armchair, strokes beard, puffs on pipe

If you compare Pakeha with other English speakers, let alone Brazilians, we are notably more co-operative, interested in consensus, and reluctant to show off. I think malicia, malandragem, and the beautiful game can be harder to grasp, because we're brought up to despise those things; on the other hand, helpful co-operation can be a good thing in a game as well as in the group. Malicia in NZ is when a rugby player scores a try on the blindside - feh.

Aside from our tight little community which I very much value and enjoy, and the fun of developing some physical prowess, what I'm really getting out of capoeira is a little outlet for some urges that the local culture really wants us to suppress.

I also like the way the roda is a world within the world. You can be really engaged at every level of your mind and with all your faculties, and while that's happening, there is nothing else. That's a rare and valuable escape in this life.

And so many things I do in my life are FOR something, to make money, to keep me healthy, to look after other people, whatever. I love having something that has no purpose but itself.
  Rastinha
  2007-06-20 12:24:32
Well said, Pan�a... I concur :)
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