CAPOEIRA ANGOLA VOCABULARY

SO M E G E N E R A L T E R M S

MUSICAL TERMS

angoleiro / player of capoeira angola

argoleiro / maker of earrings
brincadeira / joke / synonym for capoeira
candombl / Afro-Brazilian religion of the orixs
capoeira angola / traditional capoeira
capoeira contempornea / contemporary capoeira
capoeira regional / Mestre Bimbas modern capoeira
capoeiragem / the art of capoeira
corpo fechado/aberto / closed/open body / body
invulnerable/vulnerable to harm
engolo or ngolo / Angolan challenge dance said
to be ancestor of capoeira
jogo / game / the game of capoeira
malandro / streetwise tough guy, smooth operator
malandragem / the art of the malandro lifestyle
orixs / messengers to Olodum (God)
quilombo or mocambo / runaway slave community
roda / wheel / the capoeira circle
senzala / slave barracks
vadiao / hanging out / synonym for capoeira

angola / primary berimbau rhythm

agog / double bell
atabaque / drum
batera / capoeira orchestra
berimbau / two-tone instrument that leads roda
caxixi / shaker
chula / linking songs
corrido / fast / songs for playing the game
gunga / bass berimbau
ladainha / litany / opening solo song
mdio / middle berimbau
pandeiro / Brazilian tambourine
p do berimbau / the foot of the berimbau
pedra / rock for berimbau
reco-reco / scratcher
samba de roda / samba in a circle
so bento grande / secondary berimbau rhythm
vaqueta / stick for berimbau
viola / high berimbau
MESTRES

MO V E M E N T S

a / cartwheel
a de cabea / cartwheel on the head
bananeira / banana tree / handstand/headstand
cabeada / headbutt
caracol / snail / small rotating movement
chamada / calling / three step partner dance
chapa / plate / spoking kick with sole of foot
chibata / whip / side kick with of foot
cocorinha / little coconut / crouching movement
ginga / sway / mobile stance of capoeira
malcia / treachery / back and forth sway with
gestures
mandinga / sorcery / hand gestures
meia lua de frente / half moon in front / front
arcing kick
meia lua de compasso / half moon compass /
rabo de arraia with no hands
molejo / spring / low backwards movement
negativa / negative / dodge
queda de quatro / fall of four / crouching escape
queda de rins / fall of kidneys / breakdance freeze
queda de tres / fall of three / crouching escape
rabo de arraia / manta ray tail / low kick
rasteira / sweep / trip takedown
rol / roll / low evasive movement

Mestre Bimba / originator of modern style

Mestre Caboquinho / your mestre (by way of
Luna)
Mestre Joo Grande / Big John / student of
Pastinha, teaches in NYC
Mestre Joo Pequeno / Little John / last of
the old-school mestres, student of Pastinha
Besouro Mangang / magic capoeira player
Mestre Pastinha / preserver of many angola
traditions