»Capoeira Camará« is a unique project no second illustrated book is available on Capoeira. It shows the present state of Capoeira in Brazil and elsewhere. The authors perspective is subjective, authentic, bringing across the emotional aspect of the culture without losing track of an objective glance.
This illustrated volume works on two levels. It aims to depict Capoeira in its complexity to the outsider, he is made to see that this is not just some fighting dance. Music, emotions and history matter just as much as the dance in itself. Background texts provide an insight into this culture, and photographs support these explanations. The photographs are mysterious, tickling the curiousity of the reader.
Visually, the reader is invited to join the roda (Portuguese for circle), all the participants are lined up. One finds oneself on equal footing with the players of the Capoeira. The photographs are intense, active, and always combined with impressions from the entire cultural context.
The book finishes with a monologue by the worlds biggest living legend of Capoeira: Joao Pequeno.
This books succeeds at catching the spiriti of Capoeira, it comes alive before the reader. The texts support the mystical character of this culture without failing to inform nonetheless.
