Andrew Shee
Capoeira Name:
None officially (but I have many other nicknames!)
Instructor Rafael Barbosa Rosario / Grupo Bantus Capoeira Malaysia (www.bantus.com.my)
Profession:
Age:
Belt level:
Why Capoeira?
How long have you been a Capoeirista?
How do you feel about the evolving style?
Capoeira, to many, is an artistic outlet. Do you shake any other artistic leg?
How do you feel about Capoeira being put in movies?
Does this Americanization help or hinder?
It has helped tremendously, but at the same time we see bad examples of Capoeira out there (i.e. dubious Capoeira schools). But it shouldn't be solely blamed on 'americanization' only.
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Why not Capoeira? :)
This would be my 3rd year.
As long as the evolvement helps improve the jogo and most importantly not losing the cultural aspect, I have no qualms against it.
I don't consider myself an artistic person, but I do work in the advertising field, so yes, I suppose there should be a certain degree of art appreciation involved :)
There's always a good and bad part about it. If the movie depicts and demonstrates Capoeira in its fullest (bataria, capoeiristas, jogo, culture) then it's excellent! But to show Capoeira being used in some dodgy underground martial art competition (i.e. Kickboxer 4) or worse, as a form of comic relief (i.e. Meet the Fockers), that can be downright annoying.
More about you.
I am constantly restless and I enjoy approaching anything (especially women) with a quizzical look.
I enjoy sitting back at a coffee joint and watch the world go pass by through my slit eyes.
When I'm lost in my own world, I'd sulk and cross my arms in sheer annoyance with myself.
I'm a Chinese guy but I can't converse in my mother language.
What is Capoeira to you and why the tattoo?*
Capoeira has also taught me some lessons in life. While Capoeira has made me laugh and smile during the good times, it has also scarred me by the sharp end. Capoeira continues to remind me that my life is similar to a roda. When I play Capoeira, I will expect to be faced with many situations. A smiling person with a
swift compasso or an inviting tesoura which beckons me to play along. An armada swinging towards my direction may tempt me to reply with another armada, but a quick rasteria could easily make me wipe my bunda on the floor if I am not cautious.
A tattoo is meant to be kept for life. To me, Capoeira has played a big role in my life (it's not as drastic as it sounds!) and it'll continue to teach me the simple lessons of life. I am always learning about life, and Capoeira will take hold of my hand and guide me through it. That's my reason for having a Capoeira
tattoo.
I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that it also looks great on my back _
How did you start Capoeira?*
Imagine my excitement when I found out that a friend of mine was conducting Capoeira classes! I was raring to go and I dragged my best friend along (who wasn't keen on Capoeira then but decided to humor me). Our classes had only 5 people practicing Capoeira, but I was a happy camper and nothing could stop me!
Fast forward today, and Bantus Capoeira Malaysia is currently one of the fastest growing Capoeira communities in South East Asia. Fueled with passion and love, Bantus Capoeira Malaysia will continue to play Capoeira and Maculelé, dance the Samba de Roda and Forró and sing out loud with muito Axé!
Capoeira has changed me in so many ways. Just like how artists express themselves in the form of singing, painting or acting, Capoeira allows me to do all this! From dancing (well, I'm not much of a dancer but I can wiggle my hips a little!) to singing, I simply channel all my energy into the roda. If I had a bad day,
a game of Capoeira or singing and playing the berimbau is all I need to remind me to appreciate the simple things in life.
I stumbled upon Capoeira while watching "Only The Strong (along with millions of other Capoeiristas!)" and I fell in love with it. While Capoeira was non-existent in Malaysia during those times, I could only satisfy my thirst by surfing online and gathering more information about it.
Any shout outs?
Instructor Rafael, for being a patient instructor and friend to us.
Quek (Seda), who taught me my first ginga!
Woei Hern (Coelho), my best friend who tagged along with me.
Mestre Pintor, for being the founding father of Bantus Capoeira.
And finally, everyone from Bantus Capoeira Malaysia! You guys made it happen!
Do you prefer Regional or Angola over the other?
That's almost similar to asking me if I would prefer Anna Kournikova or Maria Sharapova.
Just like Regional or Angola, I'd want to do them both. *smirk*
editor's note: All questions marked with *, are from the interviewee. Also all photographs in this category were used with permission from their owner, respectively.
