Capoeira - The History |
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Capoeira was developed as a form of self-defence by African slaves in Brasil in the 18 th Century.
Capoeira incorporated diverse elements of African culture including dance, music, acrobatics and various fighting forms.
This style of fighting, disguised as dance, has always been based on the principle of surprise and improvisation. The African people who were enslaved by the Portuguese were forced to create an effective and unknown fighting form both as a means of defence and a way to free them from slavery.
Once free, the African Brasilian people formed hidden communities called Quilombos in the deep forest of the north-east of Brasil. There they were able to develop the fighting skill which today we call Capoeira.
Capoeira has evolved directly as part of Brasilian culture and history. From the Quilombos to the streets of Salvador, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Capoeira thrived as an expression of life and resistance. The survival, evolution and subsequent development of Capoeira around the world is the result of the work of numerous masters past and present. |
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