Capoeira and Religiosity (Spirituality)

This book is a research into the historical and cultural relations between capoeira and the religions that form part of its background. Proposing that it is not the actual religions, but the underlying spirituality that is part of capoeira's deeper structure, the book then sets out on understanding better why capoeira has conquered the world. Dolf van der Schoot is a capoeira teacher and philosopher, among many other things. He, like many others, experienced the close presence of religion and spirituality in the world of capoeira, for some more then for others. In the history of capoeira and in the proper practice of capoeira, one can find traces and elements of them, traces that pique curiosity and brought him to reflect on the topic.

Dolf van der Schoot - professor Filósofo - started capoeira in 1999 with mestre Vladimir Frama (Batuque Capoeira), and shortly after moved to Amsterdam, where he continued with mestre Marreta (Escola de Capoeira Berimbau de Ouro), his mestre until today. He participated in various capoeira events in Europe, United States and Brasil, lectured at schools and universities on capoeira and developped his work with capoeira in Amsterdam (NL), Aljezur & São Teotónio (PT) and Paris (FR). Dolf van der Schoot has acquired master degrees in Political Science, Philosophy and Education (University of Amsterdam), is a philosophy teacher for secondary education. He is currently doing a PhD in Philosophy at the European Graduate School, in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.