Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira are martial art forms with ties to Brazil --- both forms stem from blurry pasts with no definite answers regarding their origins, yet the traditions for the practices have evolved in many countries, spreading their practices throughout the world. Capoeira uses music and fighting moves that create a dance-like interaction with partners, while Jiu Jitsu uses more traditional sparring techniques set in a more formal atmosphere. Both can be done as a form of exercise and self defense, but Jiu Jitsu allows the participant to further their practice by obtaining advanced colored belts.
Capoeira History
Many theories explain how Capoeira was formed. One is that African slaves brought Capoeira to Brazil and disguised the fighting technique as a dance so that their white slave owners wouldn't notice. Another theory explains that Capoeira is an initiation dance for when African girls become women. Finally, some believe Zumbi, an African leader who created a community out of escaped slaves, created Capoeira. Regardless of its origin, Capoeira is now practiced as an art form set to music, challenging both the physical and mental capacities of the practitioner.
Jiu Jitsu History
Jiu Jitsu history also has different theories as to where and when it originated. Dating back at least 2,500 years, it is said that the martial art began in Japan as a form of weaponless combat the Samurai used. While Jiu Jitsu also has relation to Chinese origin, the form has since stemmed into a Brazilian practice as well. Athleticscholarships.net explains that Jiu Jitsu has a philosophy containing three states of mind: Zanshin, Fudoshin and Mushin --- or remaining spirit, immovable mind and no mind. The circular, hard and soft, external style of combat includes throws, locks, hitting, striking, thrusting, punching, pinning, strangling and joint-locking. Today, it is often used as a form of self-dense.
Capoeira Today
Practicing Capoeira today generally consists of musicians playing the berimbau, atabaque, pandiero and agogo at the foot of a circle, which is composed of participants crouching down. Two participants enter the circle through a cartwheel and interact via jumps, kicks, flips, hand and headstands, as well as other moves. The interaction can be friendly or dangerous, with the music influencing the feel of the game. Capoeira is a dance as well as a fight, combining gymnastics, dance, martial arts and music for a cultural game among friends.
Jiu Jitsu Today
Jiu Jitsu in the United States comes in many forms, including Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Brazilian style stems from Judo, and in itself holds a variety of different styles and a wide spectrum of fighting techniques. Japanese is more traditional and dependent on the school you practice in terms of which technique you will focus on. Jiu Jitsu is learned on a belt system, where you test and rank at different belt colors, with white being the lowest and black being the highest. People practice Jiu Jitsu for a variety of reasons, including self defense, competition or just exercise. Your Jiu Jitsu career will depend on what you'd like to get out of it and how the school you're going to trains its students.
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