Spirituality as seen through the classic enslavement triangle is one of the missions of Contra Mestre Chicago Murray. Through Capoeira de Angola Murray showed there is a link between the spiritual practices of those in the African country known as Angola, with the enslaved Africans who were brought to Brazil, and even to those who learn the spirituality, martial arts and dance that tie them with kin in the United States.

Murray shared at a gathering at Ausar Auset, 6008 Germantown Ave. on Feb. 4. The dozens gathered were there to view the film. This was the first in a series of movie nights where a multigenerational crowd of those of various faiths will gather to watch films that shows the spiritual power of Africans and their descendants.

In capoeira we use many words from Angola, Murray said. The words of the instruments are African. Actually whenever we teach it we also teach you how to make these instruments as well as to play it. You play litany it after you do libations.

Murray explained that he learned the spiritual and martial arts of capoeira from one of the oldest living masters in the United States, Jao Grande, in New York City. Murray, a native of Chicago, said he studied martial arts and related Asian spirituality while a teenager. When he found that the two disciplines were originally of African origin he sought out African masters. He found the oldest body of studies in the Americas was found in Brazil.

Like its Caribbean and southern cousins who practice Santeria, Voudon, or other indigenous faiths, Murray shared that most look at these as a way of life rather than a religion. So, many adherents continue to practice Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, or other faiths while still exploring capoeira. Some combine spiritual modalities while others treat it as purely a martial arts practice as when one takes a karate, judo, aikido or related class.

This is actually one of the art forms. It is not a religion, but it has some spirituality to it., Murray said.

Now for Chicago capoeira and Brazilian spirituality is a family affair. When he does presentations or performances he often has his wife and five children with him. This was the case at the Germantown spiritual center last Saturday. They were able to demonstrate the sacred music of Angola and even tie those in to the martial arts and dance movements.

I enjoy doing this, said 14-year old Nailah Murray. Also on hand was her two brothers, 11-year-old Geronimo and 7-year-old Freedom, as well as little sister 4-year old Naima.

I find learning about Brazilian culture and traditions fascinating, said Nutara Netchem Ab, who came for the movie series.

For those interested in learning about the African Brazilian culture they need look no further than the Anderson Cultural Center, 5301 Overbrook Ave. in West Philadelphia. Chicago kicked off his African Brazilian martial art and dance courses for children and adults on Jan. 9. For more information call (912) 596-2141 or visit iccapoeira@yahoo.com.

The Ausar Auset Society will continue its series of watching movies about how spirituality enabled various enslaved Africans to resist in times of crisis. The first film in the Celebrate Resistance series was Quilombo a classic film by Carlos Diegues. It is about the Palmeres in Brazil who used their spirituality and African martial arts form to resist slavery. For information on the upcoming films call (215) 843-0900.

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Dots connected in enslavement triangle - The Philadelphia Tribune