Capoeira: The Martial Art Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ka puera

'Ka puera' refers to the clearing in the woods where trees had been cleared for planting, but the slaves discovered them useful for hiding out to practice Capoeira. Capoeira combines dance, gymnastics, music, and martial arts, into one sport, that is now known worldwide. Unlike many martial arts, Capoeira is played not to injure, but to outsmart and trick your opponent.

Answer: African slaves in Brazil

African slavery in Brazil began between 1500 and 1530, and continued through 1888, when the slaves were freed. The slaves brought much of their culture with them from Africa, so Capoeira became a Brazilian martial art but it still contained a heavy African influence. The slaves designed it to look like a dance, so the owners wouldn't guess they were learning to defend themselves.

Answer: Roda

The roda is a huge circle of musicians and other Capoeira players, and in the middle two people are playing Capoeira. Everyone participates. The musicians play instruments and sing, while everyone else claps hands and joins in on the chorus.

Answer: Au

The cartwheel is an important movement in Capoeira, you can use it to evade a tripping maneuver of your opponent, dodge a kick, or even attack from it. Many other manuevers typically associated with gymnastics such as the handstand, bridge, and some variations on flips, are also common in Capoeira.

Answer: Cocorinha

This duck is an easy way to escape a kick, and, like most Capoeira defences, can be used to go into an attack.

Answer: Mestre Bimba

There are two different styles of Capoeira: Regional and Angola. Now days the two styles are usually mixed, but occasionally you will run into groups declaring themselves of only one form or another. Regional was created to help Capoeira become more widespread, and it worked too, because Capoeira is now practiced worldwide.

Answer: Low to the ground, slow movements

Angola is usually thought of as being a slower game than Regional, and Regional typically is played to a faster tempo, has more acrobatic mauevers, and players stay farther off the ground. This is only a generalization however, as both styles have many movements that overlap.

Answer: White

Capoeira is designed so that you shouldn't need to touch anything but your head, hands and feet to the ground (unless, of course, you fall, in which case, if you aren't extremely lucky, you'll be playing in brown clothes for the remainder of the roda).

Answer: Salute the musicians

When you enter, you and your opponent come forward from either side of the musicians, squat in front and salute them in appreciation of their playing, greet one another, and cartwheel into the middle of the circle to begin the game.

Answer: Armada

Armada is a simple spin kick but there are many variations also with the "armada" in their title. One example is Armada Pulada, which is a leaping spin kick.