Power in Practice - The Pragmatic Anthropology of Afro-Brazilian Capoeira

Considering the concept of power in capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian ritual art form, Varela describes ethnographically the importance that capoeira leaders (mestres) have in the social configuration of a style called Angola in Bahia, Brazil. He analyzes how individual power is essential for an understanding of the modern history of capoeira, and for the themes of embodiment, play, cosmology, and ritual action. The book also emphasizes the great significance that creativity and aesthetic expression have for capoeira's practice and performance.

List of contents

Illustrations

Tables

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1. The Fight for Recognition: A Brief History of Capoeira Angola in Salvador,  Bahia, Brazil

Chapter 2. Capoeira Angola in Its Own Right

Chapter 3. Cosmological Bodies

Chapter 4. Mandinga: The Creation of Powerful Persons

Chapter 5. Playful Violence and the Ambiguity of Deception

Chapter 6. How Musical Instruments Become Persons: The Power of Materiality

Epilogue

Glossary

References

Index

About the author

Sergio González Varela is Professor of Anthropology at Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He is currently working on a book about the anthropologist Paul Stoller.

Summary

Considering the concept of power in capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian ritual art form, Varela describes ethnographically the importance that capoeira leaders (mestres) have in the social configuration of a style called Angola in Bahia, Brazil. He analyzes how individual power is essential for an understanding of the modern history of capoeira, and for the themes of embodiment, play, cosmology, and ritual action. The book also emphasizes the great significance that creativity and aesthetic expression have for capoeira’s practice and performance.

Product details

• Authors: Sergio Armando Gonzaalez Varela, Sergio González Varela, Sergio Gonz Varela, Sergio Gonzalez Varela, Sergio González Varela, Sergio Gonzßlez Varela
• Publisher: BERGHAHN BOOKS, INC
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2017
• EAN: 9781785336355
• ISBN: 978-1-78533-635-5
• No. of pages: 182
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 235 mm x 19 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Ethnology; Brazil, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social and cultural anthropology, SPORTS & RECREATION / Martial Arts / General, Anthropology (General), Performance Studies, PERFORMING ARTS / Dance / Regional & Cultural, Folk Dancing