Vim de Bahia pra lhe ver: Multiple movements in the capoeira batizado

The title, which translated from Portuguese means ‘I came from Bahia to see you’, is the opening line of a well-known song used in the Brazilian dance, fight and game capoeira. It can be sung in a cheerful, friendly way, as a simple greeting, or with menace, carrying the meaning that the singer has travelled to engage in a serious contest with the listener. Other places can be substituted for Bahia, so a capoeira master from Sydney visiting Auckland could sing ‘Vim de Australia pra lhe ver’ to produce smiles among the New Zealanders. We have heard and sung the song many times. The paper focuses on the polyvalent meanings of one capoeira kick (the armada) which, like the song, and all capoeira movements, can be menacing, welcoming or carry other meanings.