The two main styles of Capoeira are Angola and Regional.

ANGOLA, the traditional form of Capoeira, closely resembles the games played by Brazil’s slaves. Played slowly and low to the ground Capoeira Angola is a clever game, full of mischief and trickery.

REGIONAL is the most commonly seen form of Capoeira. Created by Mestre Bimba, Regional is a combination of Capoeira Angola and Batuque (an old form of fighting Bimba's father was highly skilled in). Incorporating takedowns, acrobatic movement and powerful kicks, Capoeira Regional is a fast and exciting style of Capoeira.

FOLKLORIC DANCE
Capoeiristas continue Brazil’s cultural heritage through folkloric dances. Those performed by students of Capoeira Brasil are Maculele, Samba de Roda and Puxada de Rede.

MACULELE - Dance of the Sticks
In Maculele, performers dance with a pair of sticks. Musical accompaniment includes 3 Atabaques, the large Rum, medium Rumpi and the small Le in the style of Candomble. Dancers make powerful expressive movements while striking the right stick of their partner at every 4th beat. More experienced players may use machetes. Believed to be practiced by slaves on sugar plantations, the true origins of Maculele have since been lost in stories and legends. Rescued by Mestre Popo, Maculele is regularly incorporated in Capoeira performances.

SAMBA DE RODA
Samba de Roda is a playful game of the Brazilian Samba. A man and woman samba together in the centre of a roda, accompanied by Palma de Terreiro, Batucada (Samba drums) and the berimbau. Dancers enter the roda and replace the man or woman by initiating tricks a conducting jokes on their rival so they may samba with the dancer of the opposite gender. Even though there are traditional Samba de Roda songs, contemporary pop samba may also be used.

PUXADA DE REDE
This dance symbolises the pulling in of a fishing net from the ocean, it is performed to the beat of a slow atabaque.

References
Abdalla, J. Brazil's Black Guerillas

Almeida, B. Capoeira - An Introductory History, Acordeon

Carvalho, M. & Pereira, C. 1992, Cantos e Ladainhas da Capoeira da Bahia, Edicoes Via Bahia, Salvador

Mestre Boneco's Website - www.capoeirabrasil.com

World Arts West Dance Styles 2003, Brazilian Dance - Maculele

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