What is Capoeira?

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian movement that was founded by the slaves in colonial Brazil. They created Capoeira as a style of self-defense that would protect them against weapons and firearms, and also as leisure.

In Tupi, a language spoken by Brazilian Indians, capoeira was the name of the brush woods where the fugitive slaves entrenched themselves and it was believed that the first group of slaves who started playing capoeira in Brazil was from Angola. In the history of capoeira there were many combats between slaves and policemen and soldiers from the army.

In 1890 was considered outlawed, but so that still continued being practiced in the streets. It remained illegal until 1937, when the Master Bimba ( o Manoel dos Reis Machado) founded what was known as "Luta Regional Baiana" (Regional Fight Bahian), a fusion of Capoeira de Angola and Batuque (fight practiced in Africa), which was later called Capoeira Regional. Master Bimba puts the Capoeira into the closed rooms: he presented his capoeira in schools, clubs, universities and gym spaces.

During this time Capoeira became more than just a defense method. It achieved national recognition and became what it is today: A sport, a dance, a game and an art movement.

It takes generally twenty years to become a capoeira Master. The most important capoeira Masters were that one born in Bahia, Master Bimba and Master Pastinha. Currently, there are three kinds of Capoeira: Capoeira de Angola (old capoeira), Capoeira Regional and a mix of these two, called Capoeira Conteporânea (Contemporaneous Capoeira).

Each kind of Capoeira use a proper method to identify their practitioner: Angola Capoeira use only the nomination, Regional Capoeira use handkerchief of different colors, and Contemporaneous Capoeira use belts of different colors. They wear white or colored pants and normally shirts that identify the group to which they are associated. Every capoeira practitioner has a nickname that usually refers to a personal characteristic.

Capoeira is practiced in a circle, called "Roda". During the roda, people play capoeira, sing, play the instruments (berimbau, caxixi, atabaque and pandeiro), and clap hands following the rhythm. The Lyric Themes of Capoeira are usually about habits, places and history of Bahia. The capoeira practitioners are called capoeiristas.