Game of Freedom: Mestre Bimba and the Art of Capoeira

by Duncan Tonatiuh Narrated by André Santana

Overview

A meia lua whooshed in the air. The strike was evaded and followed with an aú. Two young men were playing capoeira in the middle of the roda. Bimba wanted to play too. Although it is debated when and where capoeira-an art form that blends martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music, and spirituality-originated exactly, one thing is certain: in the early 20th century, Brazil was the only country in the world where capoeira was played, and it was mainly practiced by people of African descent. In 1890, two years after Brazil officially abolished slavery, the game was outlawed. Wealthy, lighter-skinned society feared and looked down on capoeira, seeing it as a game for malandros-what people in power called the poor Black communities they disdained. But in the early 1920s in the city of Salvador, a man called Bimba would advocate for capoeira, and those who practiced it, to be treated with dignity and the respect it deserved. Inspired by pre-Columbian codices, Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of arguably the greatest capoeirista of all time, who fought to turn a misunderstood, persecuted Afro-Brazilian activity into a celebrated art practiced by millions around the world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

****STARRED REVIEW****
"The author/illustrator’s trademark pre-Colombian-flavored artwork lends itself wonderfully to the subject matter, with exaggerated poses and razor-sharp linework conveying body movements. A superb portrait of Afro-Brazilian endurance."— Kirkus

***STARRED REVIEW***
"A superb tribute to an individual and to capoeira."— The Horn Book Magazine

***STARRED REVIEW***
"A great introduction to Capoeira and the persistence of Bimba to move this street performance into the mainstream. This masterpiece of illustration and narrative will appeal to readers across categories of martial arts, dance, and more." — School Library Journal

"Tonatiuh’s signature-style illustrations employ fluid motion to simulate capoeira’s graceful acrobatics, while lengthy informative text conveys the history of Bimba and of the once-persecuted Afro-Brazilian cultural expression."— Publishers Weekly

"Tonatiuh returns with another exemplary picture book biography, this time intertwining the stories of Brazilian martial artist Mestre Bimba and the performance art of capoeira"— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2023-07-13
The mighty history of capoeira—and one of the form’s central figures.

A cultural expression that blends fighting, music, dance, and theatrics, capoeira arose from the beliefs and customs of the African peoples who were forced into slavery by the Portuguese in Brazil. Tonatiuh details capoeira’s tumultuous rise, from its banning in Brazil in 1890, two years after the abolition of slavery, to “a celebrated art” across the early 20th century. Mestre Bimba (born Manoel dos Reis Machado in 1899) developed a new kind of capoeira called Luta Regional Baiana. Determined to change the form’s “bad reputation,” Bimba opened an academia and taught capoeira in a formalized manner, leading to public bouts that reinforced his notion of capoeira as an artistic expression of resistance. Thanks to Mestre Bimba’s struggles, as well as the endeavors of other capoeiristas and a slightly more tolerant Brazilian government, capoeira eventually was decriminalized in the 1950s, leading to greater participation, including among previously excluded segments of the population such as women. The author/illustrator’s trademark pre-Colombian-flavored artwork lends itself wonderfully to the subject matter, with exaggerated poses and razor-sharp linework conveying body movements. Several illustrations depict shadows of capoeiristas as silhouettes of enslaved people, emphasizing the form’s origins. A glossary and in-depth author’s note provide further illuminating context. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A superb portrait of Afro-Brazilian endurance. (endnotes, photos, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 5-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159786234
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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