Though its origins are the source of some debate, one theory holds that capoeira was created approximately 400 years ago in Africa. It is believed to have originated in Angola and parts of Nigeria and was imported to Brazil when African slaves were brought to South America. Capoeira is a fascinating blend of acrobatics, dance, martial arts, music and singing.
Myths
Brazilian slaves were not allowed to openly practice their culture, including their martial arts. There are many myths that claim capoeira was disguised as a dance so they could practice it in front of their slave owners without drawing suspicion. The practitioners appeared to uneducated observers as engaged in an African dance rather than a refinement of a martial art. This seem unlikely since the slaves were deprived of their culture while living in the senzalas, or slave quarters. It's more likely it started to develop in the quilombos, which were settlements built by escaped slaves in the mountains and jungles of Brazil.
Capoeira in the Cities
Capoeira started to evolve after slavery was abolished in 1888. Freed slaves would move into the major cities looking for work after leaving the sugar cane plantations and would congregate around the ports and areas with a lot of criminal activity. Gangs were formed that used capoeira to rob people and that's what led to its negative image. As a result, Brazil outlawed the use or teaching of capoeira in 1892. Punishment was severe, resulting in debilitating physical injuries. Law abiding capoeiristas had to be careful not to be caught practicing capoeira out in public. They did a few things to protect themselves from the police. Capoeristas developed nicknames to identify themselves to one another and avoid sharing actual names in case the authorities intervened. They also created a "toque," or rhythm, called cavaleria, that was played on the berimbau (an instrument used in capoeira) when police was on their way. The capoeiristas would then disburse quickly to avoid getting caught.
Significance
Outlawing of Capoeira only made the sport more tempting to those who wished to learn and refine this art; the sport prizes sneakiness and cunning even today. . Capoeira today is viewed as a national Brazilian sport. Its practice was legalized in 1932 after Mestre Bimba, creator of Capoeira Regional, convinced authorities to allow him to teach capoeira to people who stayed out of trouble. A few years later, Mestre Pastinha founded the first Capoeira Angola academy, which is a different style of capoeira. Bimba and Pastinha are often credited with being the two most important people in capoeira, because they helped change the image of the art form into something positive.
Features
Capoeristas gather in a circle to surround the practitioners, or players. This circle is called a "roda." They sing and clap, playing instruments such as the berimbau, a stringed instrument, pandeiros, agogo and atabaque. The practitioners move around in a "ginga," which is the basic move in capoeira, that is meant to keep the opponent from knowing what the other player is planning next. When a player exits the circle, another member of the roda will immediately jump in and the game begins anew.
Today
Capoeristas today celebrate this art and the ability of its forebearers to create a martial art under the burden of enslavement. It is taught globally by Mestres (masters) of the sport to individuals of any background. It is also growing as a fitness phenomenon.
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