Comments: Street Fighting Moves - 3 Reasons Why Capoeira is Ineffective As a Reality-Based Fighting System

Street Fighting Moves - 3 Reasons Why Capoeira is Ineffective As a Reality-Based Fighting System
By Charles Prosper

I am walking down the street in the middle of an outdoor neighborhood street festival. From a distance, I hear the rhythmic beat of African drums and other exotic instruments that are totally captivating the fascination of an audience. I approach closer as the applauds become louder and louder and more frequent. When I get to the edge of the crowd, I peer in between two standing people to see the graceful and choreographed moves of several young people demonstrating Capoeira, the so-called fighting system which originated in African and later found its way to Brazil as a clever way that the slaves could disguise their cultural dances when they were really practicing martial arts on the sly. Well, that is the history and the romance.

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Jerald Lee writes:

Subject: Completely not true

Well, Mr. Charles Prosper I am glad that you see it that way. You see Mr Prosper, that was the original goal of capoeira from the very beginning. To fool people into thinking that the art form has no efficiency.

If you look at the origin of capoeira you will find that it was used to liberate an entire race of people in the largest country in south America. Capoeira was used as a means to fight against the Portuguese slave masters. The reason for the dance aspect was because Sunday was their only day off from working in the plantation so that was the day they trained. so what they would do is disguise their combat training from the plantation masters but making it appear to be just some tribal dancing. This was very effective because the slave masters thought exactly as you thought which lead to their demise.

Comment provided October 14, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Charles Prosper writes:

Subject: Comment to "Completely Not True"

Thank you for your comment. I only have a few questions to ask you. Could your Capoeira work today in most modern day self protection situations? How effective would your flips and twirls be in a stairway? How about a mugging in an elevator? How about a crowded nightclub? Inside of a packed bus? You see, it is one thing to be swept away by the historical romance of a so-called fighting system and to be adamantly addicted to martial arts fantasy, and then have to deal with real 21st century violence. Just look on YouTube. I challenge you to find me one, just one, surveillance tape of someone using Capoeira to control a reality-based fighting situation. Until you do, I hold steadfast to my original viewpoint, and that is, Capoeira is totally ineffective as a reality-based fighting system. Though I must admit. It is very entertaining to watch on stage in a theatrical setting. Thanks again for your comment.

Comment provided October 14, 2009 at 3:51 pm