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Basic Terms of Capoeira

capoeirista- one who practices capoeira; a capoeira player

L to R: a capoeirista pair in Brazil, a young capoeirista

roda- the circle in which capoeira is performed; the space, usually made up of capoeiristas and bystanders, for playing capoeira

a typical roda in Brazil

mestre- a capoeira master; a senior capoeira teacher

ginga- the fundamental movement of capoeira which consists of placing both feet shoulder-width apart and then pivoting one foot back and forth.

Capoeira Regional- the innovative, modern style of capoeira practiced by Mestre Bimba (see Dance Style)

Capoeira Angola- the traditional style of capoeira practiced by Mestre Pastinha (see Dance Style)

Senzala- the capoeirista group that taught a Regional/Senzala style built on movements by Mestre Bimba (see Dance Style)

berimbau- a bow-like percussive instrument that gives the tempo of the music as well as the capoeira game

atabaque- the drum, similar to the conga drum, used in capoeira rodas

pandeiro- the Brazilian tambourine

chula- used to denote a chant

ladainha- the solo part of the song sung at the beginning of a roda or a game, usually typical of capoeira Angola

quadras- four verse songs sung by a soloist, to which the chorus responds, usually typical of capoeira Regional

corridos- one or two verse songs sung by a soloist, to which the chorus responds, usually typical of both capoeira Angola and Regional