My place is in the circle

the woman in capoeira

Abstract

This article aims to problematize the discourses about the space occupied by women in capoeira, as well as the meanings attributed to female corporeality in this markedly masculine universe. This discussion considers the influences of the social, political and resistance bonds of capoeira in its relationship with Afro-Brazilian cultures, as well as the influence of the sporting perspective adopted during the nationalist project of the Estado Novo. In contrast to the sports version based on physical performance, I present the foundations of malícia and the conception of body-capoeira as an alternative form of performativity originating from Afro-diasporic cultures. This analysis also demands an understanding of the intersectionalities of race, gender and class and is based on the theoretical precepts of decolonial studies and black feminisms. Based on this theoretical elaboration, I propose the analysis of two news items selected from the internet, broadcast between the years 2022 and 2023, about the current discursive constructions that permeate female participation in capoeira. I close the work with the understanding that the analysis of the production of subjectivities based on the woman's capoeira body requires in-depth studies and I highlight the importance of guiding this discussion in line with the principles of Afro-Brazilian cultures and heritage.