How to Play Maculele

This stick fighting dance, Maculele, is danced within a roda (circle) of people just as you would capoeira. The atabaque (Brazilian drum) is played and Maculele songs are sung. People in the roda each have a pair or wooden sticks which are hit to the beat of the drum.

The two people in the roda play and dance to the rhythm. They hit their sticks together for three beats and every fourth beat the two people hit each others sticks held by the right hand.

During performances, performers wear grass skirts and advanced dancers play with machetes instead of wooden sticks.

This dance or game was developed by slaves in Brazil. It came from cutting down sugar canes in the field.

Learn how to play Maculele in Kansas City
Attend the new and fun Afro-Brazilian Dance Session at Blue Martini and learn to dance maculele and other afro-brazilian dances. The dance studio is located in Overland Park, KS. For more information visit IXT Studio Entertainment