Notes on the Transcription of the Theme Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian Culture

Introduction and Ancestral Memories

• Cultural memory of the drums and beats.
• Importance of the orixás to survive slavery.
• Connection between Africa and Brazil through culture and traditions.

Childhood and First Contacts with Capoeira

• Childhood memories in Rio de Janeiro.
• First experience with capoeira during a carnival.
• Self-learning and practice at home before attending academies.

Capoeira as a Means of Livelihood

• Experience as a street kid, collecting food for the family.
• Capoeira circle as a way to make a living and escape social issues.
• Only those dedicated to capoeira managed to survive the hardships.

Search for the Roots of Capoeira

• Importance of the African connection in capoeira.
• Journey to Benguela to explore combat games and dances.
• Personal connection to Angola and the mythology of capoeira masters.

Stories and Experiences with Engolo

• Engolo as an ancestral dance in Angola.
• Stories about the practice of engolo as a form of fight and dance.
• Comparison between engolo and capoeira, sharing elements of body movement and strategy.

Capoeira and Its Evolution

• Capoeira as a sport and culture that has transcended time and space.
• Importance of the berimbau and the axé in the capoeira circle.
• Mestre Pastinha and his descriptions about the origins of capoeira.

Awareness and Black Identity

• Impact of capoeira in discovering African ancestry.
• Awareness process about racial discrimination and Afro-Brazilian identity.
• Personal experiences of racism and social discrimination.

Symbolisms and Traditions

• Cultural traditions surrounding engolo, including rites of passage.
• Comparison between the practice of engolo and capoeira, especially in terms of performance and self-expression.

Conclusion

• Capoeira as a means of survival and cultural resistance.
• The importance of African roots in the formation of Afro-Brazilian identity and culture.
• Reflection on the beauty and resistance of cultural traditions kept alive through capoeira and its ancestral origins.