The difference between Angola and Regional Capoeira
In Brazil, there are different kinds of Capoeira, the most known around the world is the Capoeira Contemporânea (contemporary capoeira). The others are Capoeira "Angola" and "Regional". Basically, the biggest difference between the three types are that Capoeira Contemporânea is focused on fighting other martial artists. As I understand it, this is also the style used by many modern practitioners who incorporate lots of areal acrobatics into the game and it is generally played at a fast pace.
Capoeira da Angola is focused on movement, dancing and is a slower Capoeira. This is the style of Capoeira that was developed by Mestre Pastinha. He shared this method of Capoeira with his colleagues in the military and when he retired from the military at age 20, he began teaching at his own academy. Capoeira Angola is the closest style to the way slaves used to fight or play Capoeira.
Pastinha's definition of capoeira:
"Angola, Mother Capoeira!
It is a sorcery from slaves who long for freedom.
Its beginning (principle) has no method,
Its end is inconceivable to the wisest of mestres."
Capoeira Regional is the only one in the three that is capable of taking down your opponents (unbalancing moves). This is the style developed by Mestre Bimba and made to be more socially acceptable. This is the style that brought Capoeira into the public eye in Brazil and out of the shadows. Previously, Capoeira had been practiced by street thugs and had gained a bad reputation as a malicious fighting art.
I didnt realize Regional held more of the take downs associated with Capoeira. I had always assumed that Angola, being closer to the original method held more of the self defense applications and Regional all of the modern acrobatics.
I had also read that there is a distinct style of grappling involved in capoeira... that utilizes the hands close together (as if the hands are bound together). Of course I read of this at the same time of the rise of BJJ in the early 90's... Not sure if it was a way to jump on board of the grappling bandwagon or not... Thanks for the Link- ill check it out after work today.
I think it was originally a magazine article-- blackbelt- inside karate-- one of those. Just to point out though- the following month there was an article on "Tang Soo DO Grappling". I understand Subak to be grappling- however, dont think Hwang Kee really taught any grappling in his Mu Duk Kwan.
The way I understand it, Mestre Bimba took the Angola he had learned and started focusing more on technique - while Angola is more improvisational and loose - to make it appeal to a broader (middle and upper-class) population. I think that the Angola style consists of more abstract strategy and deception.
Here's a good description of the breakdown of the styles: http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/what-are-the-different-s...