Singing for Survival: Capoeira History

Oct 12 2024 20 ep. 40 mins 39
Singing for Survival: Capoeira History Podcast artwork

This podcast is dedicated to educating people on the history of the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. Each episode will focus on either an important historical figure or Capoeira song, and will examine what we can learn about the past and future of Capoeira from those stories.

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Revisiting Hard Topics: Abuse in Capoeira and What We Can Do

Oct 12 2024 94 mins  
Today’s episode is a departure from the standard format of this podcast to revisit a topic we explored back in 2021, which is sexual abuse in capoeira. This remains an ongoing issue, and with this episode, where I am joined by Natasha Távora Baker (Pequena) of the Natasha Explains It All podcast, we hope to get listeners up to speed on what’s been happening since the last epis

Dragão do Mar and Brazil's First Free City

Jan 15 2024 86 mins  
In this episode, I collaborate with Natasha Távora Baker (Pequena) from the podcast Natasha Explains it All to talk about how organized labor actions led to the abolition of slavery in Fortaleza, 5 whole years before the passing of the Golden Law in 1888! We dig into a key figure in this process, Dragão do Mar, and also dig into the history and timeline of the abolition movement

Paranaue and the War of the Triple Alliance

Jul 09 2023 53 mins  
Paranaue is arguably the most popular and well known song in Capoeira, and it's probably the most well known Capoeira song to people outside of the art. It’s the song people sing as a joke when they can tell the people around them don't know the song they’re singing. But what is it that we are actually singing about? If you take a cursory look at the lyrics, it honestly isn’t

O Que E Berimbau?

Dec 04 2022 37 mins  
In this episode I want to talk about arguably the most important instrument in the Capoeira bateria, the berimbau. The berimbau is an instantly recognizable symbol of Capoeira in the modern day, and in most circles is what leads the roda itself. At some point we all learn how to play this instrument and expect to see it in every roda we attend, but in some ways, there are questions

Apelidos: What's in a Name?

Jun 27 2022 34 mins  
In this episode, we take a look at apelidos: what are they, where do they come from, and how should we use them going forward? This is inspired by and informed from a survey of 75 Capoeiristas polled through the Capoeira sub-reddit on their experience with apelidos.I hope you enjoy and please send any comments and questions to [email protected] is Capoeira Proibida b

Saci Pererê: Uma Perna Só

Feb 24 2022 22 mins  
Today’s episode is not about a person or even a legend within Capoeira. Instead I want to talk about a Brazilian cultural folklore, Saci Perere. Saci is a figure that I have been vaguely aware of for some time. I’ve known several people who were nicknamed Saci, and have heard Saci mentioned in several songs, but wasn’t really aware of who or what he is. So in this episode we

Bonus Episode: You're History! - OTS x Singing for Survival Ultimate Mashup

Dec 13 2021 49 mins  
A very special episode where I collaborate with the folks from the Only the Strongest podcast to talk about Capoeira history! If you like this episode, please check them out here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jw3OGIPDqc2jL8isOFHVD?si=d69e3054ab40433bAs always, feel free to send me any questions, comments or stories at: [email protected]

Bonus Episode: Our Living History

Dec 05 2021 15 mins  
Super brief bonus episode while I work on the next main one. Here I share my thoughts on the importance of learning our "present histories" and how many figures we may consider historical are still dynamic, active, and changing.Feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or stories at [email protected]

Maculele: Origins and Modern Interpretation

Oct 05 2021 30 mins  
Today’s episode we will not be talking directly about Capoeira, but instead about a related Afro-Brazilian art that has become inextricably tied to Capoiera: Maculele. Most people who’ve been in Capoeira for some significant amount of time, have been at least exposed to Maculele, if not actively practiced it. It is a dance form of simulated combat with sticks, performed to a ve

Sexual Abuse in Capoeira: What We Know and What We Can Do

Jul 16 2021 52 mins  
Today’s episode is going to be a complete departure from the previous format of this podcast. There will be no music, and we will not be talking about a specific person or a specific time period. Instead, we will be talking about the pervasive problems of sexual harassment and abuse in capoeira that recent news reports have once again highlighted. This is unfortunately not new ne