Recently, I did an article on Capoeira, a martial arts form that blends music, dance, and combat techniques into a wonderful, unique system. While exploring more information about this art, I came across information about a group of women who are looking to organize the first ever European Capoeira Women's Event.

When I reached out to the group to find out more information about the event, Teimosa, one of their coordinators, responded and not only showed me her love for this art but also the details behind this amazing event.

Directly from their website,

Capoeira transcends martial arts; it creates a framework for interaction with the world at large since it reflects this world and its diversity. Capoeira is played by both men and women, young and old, all playing the game together. With agile movements players move around each other, balancing whilst trying to deceive each other: Together playing the game of capoeira and life.

Although capoeira doesn’t make a difference between sexes, there are far more male capoeiristas playing at a high level than female capoeiristas. Therefore it is sometimes difficult for women to get inspired by other women on high levels because you do not meet these women much. This will be the first event in Europe where the focus lies on the woman capoeirista. This event will give you the opportunity to meet some of the best female capoeristas in the world. We hope this event will inspire capoeiristas and show what women within capoeira are capable of. You will get workshops to expand your movements and sharpen your technique and meet fellow female capoeristas. This very special, unique event will be an unforgettable experience you shouldn’t miss out on!

This alone was enough to inspire me to go out and join this event. But speaking with Teimosa, I really gained a new level of respect for these women. Here is my brief interview with her.

CB: Thank you for agreeing to this. Can you please share with my readers a little bit about your background and how you personally got started in Capoeira?

Teimosa: I personally have been playing for three years. We all agree that when you start you like the game and play it maybe once or twice a week this is when you play capoeira. But all of us caught the capoeira virus. Capoeira stops being just a martial art you practise, it becomes passion. This is when you become a capoeirista, you live, breath and dream capoeira. It becomes a big part of your life, and you give up other parts of your life willingly. For us capoeira is more than a game, it is a way of life!

CB: I'd love to know a little bit about the people who came together to create this event. Who are they?

Teimosa: We are six young women who have been playing capoeira between 3 and 6 years. We are all passionate about the game. Besides our regular classes we have travelled all over Europe these past few years to visit workshops. We have noticed that usually men tend to play more than women and there are few female role models. So we were very pleased when our mestre asked us to organise this event.

CB: What groups or organizations have come together to create this event?

Teimosa: We are all from Grupo Capoeira Brasil. Our Mestre Paulão Ceará is supervising the event so of course we would like to thank him for giving us the opportunity to organise this. But of course we also thank all the teachers that are coming to our event. They come from different groups such as: Grupo Capoeira Brasil, Suasunna, Capoeira Dandara, Amazones and Senzala.

We also worked hard to find companies willing to help us realise this event.
Amongst them are the Brazilian Embassy, The Dutch Railways, Finalmente and TVOC
Consultancy & Services. And of course all of the volunteers from our group and
friends and family who will help us before and during the event!!!

CB: Sounds like a lot of people pulled together to make this event happened. What sort of people do you expect to attend?

Teimosa: We are hoping for a mixture of beginners and advanced players. We have different classes for both of them. For both beginners and advanced players this is an unique chance to see and play with some of the best women players in the world!

We are encouraging women to play more than usual. In every roda (circle in which the game is played) at least one woman must play. Because capoeira is a mixed martial art, men are also welcome but they get fewer lessons and will always play with a woman during the event.

The Event is also open for visitors.

CB: Thank you. Can you remind everyone of the date of the event again?

Teimosa: Yes, the event will take place on the 4th, 5th, and the 6th of March (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). We chose this date because it is the weekend before International Women’s Day.



So, if you happen to be near the Netherlands around March 4th-6th, I highly recommend visiting this event. If you have more questions, there is an email link on their website or you can email me here and I'd be happy to pass along any information.

If, unfortunately, you are too far away to participate, keep your eyes out as Teimosa tells me the first event of this type was run in New York last year, Women's Encounter, hosted by contra-mestre Jo and similar events are being held in Montreal.

Now, I have held them to letting me know how it goes so check back soon and we'll have a follow-up report on this event!