The Goshin-Do Karate club di Barga and associazione Amici del Senegal put on a spectacular event recently on the Fosso – an night time exhibition of Sound Karate and Capoeira. In effect it is the mixing of music with karate.
Also present were a group from Lucca and Viareggio who perfomed some Capoeira a blend of martial art, game, and dance originated in Brazil, from the regions known as Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The art-form started up in Brazil during the 16th Century, an obvious result of the slave trading that took place in conjunction with the previously slaved native Indians.
Capoeira was created and developed by slaves brought from Africa. Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Less frequently-used techniques include elbow-strikes, slaps, punches, and body-throws.
