Capoeira: sobrevivência e resistência na sociedade do capital

Abstract

The present study within its scope brings forth notes that outline the current configurations of Capoeira and its functions in the everyday social context. From the premise that Capoeira is a practice originating from the diaspora as a means to resist an oppressive system (ABIB, 2004), and it was consolidated in Brazil during the period of slavery (Rego, 1968), it still endures and has both national and international reach, being present in over 150 countries across the five continents according to the latest survey by IPHAN (2014). The central concern of this research endeavor lies in comprehending the resilience of a longstanding practice stemming from the era of enslavement in the context of the contemporary capitalist system. As posited by Mészáros (2005), which commodifies all aspects of existence. References employed for this study include Marx (2007, 2008, 2011, 2013), Mészáros (2005, 2015), Antunes (2009), Vasquez (2011), and various others, thereby providing foundational insights into the workings of the aforementioned system were used. Regarding Capoeira, this study draws upon the works of Rego (1968), Brito and Granada (2021), Khol (2014), Araújo (2006, 2008), Campos (2001, 2009), Falcão (2004, 2011), Abib (2004), among others, to elucidate the conditions and various facets through which Capoeira has evolved as a sporting and cultural practice, persevering over time and in response to structural changes driven by capitalism. In pursuit of comprehending how Capoeira endures to the present day and the dimensions it encompasses, an extensive search was conducted both nationally and internationally to engage with individuals who have been practitioners of Capoeira for a minimum of ten years. They were queried about the ways in which Capoeira manifests itself within their respective contexts. As a result, it was observed that there have been numerous changes in this practice since its inception. However, it is its ability to undergo metamorphosis that has enabled it to adapt to social demands, transforming itself into a pluralistic practice. However, its condition as a commodity was emphasized as predominant. This path has ensured other possibilities for survival within the capitalist system, with labor (both in its formative and subsistence aspects) serving as the foundation that has facilitated its longevity and continuity to the present day, reaffirming Capoeira's embryonic role as a form of resistance in diverse circumstances.