El Juego de Maní
Encyclopedia
El Juego de Maní "Maní" is an African word for war, sometimes referred to as Baile de Maní (or simply as Maní), el Juego de Maní con Grasa (grease game) or Bambosa because of its smooth and slippery qualities is a martial art/dance
that was brought to Cuba
by the African slaves. It has its roots in the Kongo
-Angola
culture and is still kept alive today in Cuba today by many folklorical groups. Maní is similar to Capoeira
(which is also derived from the Kongo-Angola culture) in its African roots. It is a missing link of the arts brought from Africa to the Caribbean
. The participants are referred to as "Maniseros". Although not as gymnastic as Capoeira Regional, it is much more similar to Capoeira Angola or L'agya (or Damaye) from Martinique
and Guadeloupe
. Caricao has a version and Puerto Rico
has Maní, which should not be confused with Cuba's Juego de Maní.
, or simply Palo, an Afro-Cuban religion. It is binary in sound. A grandmaster of the art that still teaches today is Juan De Dios Ramos Morejón. He was a member of Cuba's "Conjunto Folklorico" (Folkloric Connection) and the founder of "Raices Profundas" (Deep Roots). It is through these folklorical groups that Palo and Maní are kept alive. Although a few masters still exist in Cuba, not many truly understand the fighting aspects of the art over the folklorical version. Juan De Dios grew up fighting in the streets of Cuba and he is considered a living encyclopedia
of the art when he chooses to teach it.
, head butts, elbows, forearms, knees and the cartwheel
, etc. The foot work is similar in theory to the Brazilian Ginga, but it is more of a stomping type motion. It also uses weapons such as the machete
, double machete, and staff (used similarly to calinda
stick fighting). Energy is drawn from the earth. Each fight ends in a sweep, take down or grappling maneuver. In Colonial Cuba, Juego de Maní involved a solo dancer who danced within a circle of opponents. His opponents tried to strike blows as he executed various jumps and evasive steps. The fight's rhythm is based on the rhythm that is played by the musicians and accompanying musicians were expected to synchronize drumming accents with movement accents in the performance. This form was popular in Matanzas
and Las Villas
provinces
and featured circling, competitive male dancing, which later affected dances of Cuban creation such as Rumba Columbia. The original martial art form of Juego de Maní risked particular danger, since the dancer sometimes had leather wrist covers (muñequeras) that were adorned with nails and other sorts of metal. Originally, Cuban women also danced Juego de Maní, but this was outlawed in the 1930s, although it was still performed. Maní, is nowadays very folkloric in nature and those that practice it, do it as a pastime or for socializing, because it encompasses so much: music, singing, fighting, friendship, etc. One of the main songs used in El Juego de Maní is: "Vamos a la Guerra si Maní". Again, the songs of Maní are accompanied by the music of Palo.
of Afro-Cuban music and martial arts and has travelled extensively throughout the world including: Germany
, Japan
, the United States
, Mexico
and many other places. He is based out of Cuba. He is represented in the United States by his student Miguel Quijano.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
that was brought to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
by the African slaves. It has its roots in the Kongo
Kongo people
The Bakongo or the Kongo people , also sometimes referred to as Kongolese or Congolese, is a Bantu ethnic group which lives along the Atlantic coast of Africa from Pointe-Noire to Luanda, Angola...
-Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
culture and is still kept alive today in Cuba today by many folklorical groups. Maní is similar to Capoeira
Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...
(which is also derived from the Kongo-Angola culture) in its African roots. It is a missing link of the arts brought from Africa to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The participants are referred to as "Maniseros". Although not as gymnastic as Capoeira Regional, it is much more similar to Capoeira Angola or L'agya (or Damaye) from Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
and Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
. Caricao has a version and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
has Maní, which should not be confused with Cuba's Juego de Maní.
History
The music utilized in Maní is Palo MontePalo (religion)
Palo, or Las Reglas de Congo are a group of closely related religions or denominations, which developed in the Spanish colonies of the Caribbean amongst Central African slaves of mostly Bantu ancestry...
, or simply Palo, an Afro-Cuban religion. It is binary in sound. A grandmaster of the art that still teaches today is Juan De Dios Ramos Morejón. He was a member of Cuba's "Conjunto Folklorico" (Folkloric Connection) and the founder of "Raices Profundas" (Deep Roots). It is through these folklorical groups that Palo and Maní are kept alive. Although a few masters still exist in Cuba, not many truly understand the fighting aspects of the art over the folklorical version. Juan De Dios grew up fighting in the streets of Cuba and he is considered a living encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
of the art when he chooses to teach it.
Music, Dance & Technique
The system of Maní encompasses techniques such as low kicks, sweepsSweep (martial arts)
A sweep is the name used for two categories of martial arts techniques. From standing, sweeps are throws or takedowns that primarily use the legs to attack an opponent's legs...
, head butts, elbows, forearms, knees and the cartwheel
Cartwheel
A cartwheel is a part of a cart. It may also mean:*Cartwheel , an acrobatic maneuver*Cartwheel Galaxy*Cart-wheel hat, worn by women*Slang term for a silver dollar coin -See also:...
, etc. The foot work is similar in theory to the Brazilian Ginga, but it is more of a stomping type motion. It also uses weapons such as the machete
Machete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
, double machete, and staff (used similarly to calinda
Calinda
Calinda is a martial art, as well as kind of folk music and dance in the Caribbean which arose in the 1720s. Calinda is the French spelling, and the Spanish equivalent is calenda; it is a kind of stick-fighting commonly seen practiced during Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago...
stick fighting). Energy is drawn from the earth. Each fight ends in a sweep, take down or grappling maneuver. In Colonial Cuba, Juego de Maní involved a solo dancer who danced within a circle of opponents. His opponents tried to strike blows as he executed various jumps and evasive steps. The fight's rhythm is based on the rhythm that is played by the musicians and accompanying musicians were expected to synchronize drumming accents with movement accents in the performance. This form was popular in Matanzas
Matanzas Province
Matanzas is one of the provinces of Cuba. Major towns in the province include Cárdenas, Colón, Jovellanos and the capital of the same name, Matanzas...
and Las Villas
Santa Clara Province
Santa Clara was a historical province of Cuba. Until 1976, its territory was that of the modern Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus....
provinces
Provinces of Cuba
Administratively, Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and one special municipality not included in any province. The last modification was approved in August 2010 , splitting Havana province into two new provinces: Artemisa and Mayabeque...
and featured circling, competitive male dancing, which later affected dances of Cuban creation such as Rumba Columbia. The original martial art form of Juego de Maní risked particular danger, since the dancer sometimes had leather wrist covers (muñequeras) that were adorned with nails and other sorts of metal. Originally, Cuban women also danced Juego de Maní, but this was outlawed in the 1930s, although it was still performed. Maní, is nowadays very folkloric in nature and those that practice it, do it as a pastime or for socializing, because it encompasses so much: music, singing, fighting, friendship, etc. One of the main songs used in El Juego de Maní is: "Vamos a la Guerra si Maní". Again, the songs of Maní are accompanied by the music of Palo.
Prominent Maniseros
Juan De Dios Ramos Morejón has been an ambassadorAmbassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
of Afro-Cuban music and martial arts and has travelled extensively throughout the world including: Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and many other places. He is based out of Cuba. He is represented in the United States by his student Miguel Quijano.