Indigenous Brazilian martial arts are dominated by two contrasting fighting disciplines. Capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Both arts were originally imported into Brazil and both have grown in popularity and spread throughout the world. However in terms of style and application they are vastly different.
CAPOEIRA
Capoeira was introduced to Brazil between the 17th and 18th century by African slaves. The system itself offers a unique blend of fighting techniques and dance. Although classified as a martial art Capoeiristas (those who practice Capoeira) are referred to as “players” and the overall combat scenario is regarded as a game.
During the slave era captives were heavily suppressed. Any hint of revolt or disobedience was quickly extinguished consequently the fighting system developed, disguised as a dance. Slaves were able to practice their moves and techniques moving to a loud rhythmic beat unchallenged. It is this fusion of dance, music and combat that characterises Capoeira to this day.
Capoeiristas develop athletic flexibility and gymnastic ability with impressive stamina and aerobic fitness. This particular Brazilian martial art is better suited to younger and energetic bodies who are able to execute highly dynamic and exciting physical movements.
There are two main Capoeira styles. Capoeira Angola and Regional.
Capoeira Angola
Capoeira Angola is the more traditional form. Players are often engaged in closer proximity to one another and the game has more of a chess like feel as each player thinks carefully about how to undermine his or her opponent. As a result the game is slower and Capoeiristas generally lower to the ground than some of the other forms.
Capoeira Regional
Regional is the more common form particularly in Brazil. The play tends to be faster and more athletic, with greater emphasis placed on speed and reflexes. Capoeira Regional players are graded according to their skill and experience. A coloured rope called a cordão worn as a belt is used to differentiate the players rank.
The “game” takes place within a human circle called a “roda.” The players face each other and as the action begins the watching members of the circle clap, sing and play musical instruments. This rhythm of the dance is vital as the Capoeiristas use all of their skill, cunning and tactical awareness to outwit and defeat their opponent.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers a very different martial experience to that of Capoeira.
History – The Gracie Family
BJJ can trace its roots back to Japan and the founder of the Japanese martial art of Judo. This fighting system was brought to Brazil in 1914. One of the first students to learn the throwing techniques and take downs was Carlos Gracie. Gracie was not naturally endowed with a strong physique but through diligent practice he discovered that he could defeat opponents who were physically stronger, taller and heavier. By this time several of his brothers were also practising and in 1925 Carlos and his brothers founded the Gracie jiu-jitsu academy.
From then the Gracie brothers continued to develop and refine their techniques concentrating more on ground fighting, wrist locks and choking techniques designed to force an opponent to submit. Their revolutionary fighting techniques had a profound effect on well established Jiu-Jitsu principles. In time their system became known as Gracie jiu-jitsu but today the system has the more generic title of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Mixed Martial Arts
Today this Brazilian martial art can be divided into three categories....
Self defence - this includes techniques to disarm armed attackers and striking techniques.
Free fighting competition - more popularly known as mixed martial arts or MMA.
Sport grappling - with the combative emphasis placed on submission holds but not striking.
BJJ students wear heavy duty judo or Jiu-Jitsu gi’s and belt ranks start at white and continue through blue, purple, brown, and then finally black. There is no formal test but students wishing to progress to the next rank need to practice regularly and ultimately defeat the other students of their rank by applying techniques in competitive matches.
At tournaments, bouts are generally five to ten minutes duration depending on the experience of those involved. Competitors are divided by grade, weight and age.
The match begins with each competitor standing on a matted floor and ends when one is forced to submit by the other. If the fight ends before such a submission, points awarded will determine the winner.
In recognition of the effectiveness of this Brazilian martial art, today, almost every successful MMA fighter includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a fundamental component of their training routine.
