Malandragem
Malandragem
Cunning and craftiness as part of the capoeira game. The player deceives the opponent, changes the rhythm and sets traps.
Quick Facts
Term typeTactics, timing and mindset
LanguagePortuguese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[mah-lahn-drah-zhayn]
Alternative Namescunning
Readings and romanizations
IPAmalɐ̃ˈdɾaʒẽj
Definition
Malandragem is the Portuguese word for cunning and craftiness, derived from the figure of the malandro, a clever street survivor. In capoeira it means the art of deceiving the opponent: hinting at one movement and doing another, changing the rhythm, setting a trap or feigning fatigue. A related concept is malícia. Malandragem is tied to the history of capoeira as an art of the enslaved and later the poor inhabitants of Brazil, who had to rely on cleverness. A smile and playfulness in the game belong to it too. Many masters consider it as important as physical technique.