History

Unlike other arts, knowing the history of Capoeira is essential for its understanding and development. The origins of Capoeira go back to more than 600 years ago and its evolution is the result of a rich history which is nevertheless troublesome and uncertain. Practicing Capoeira without knowing its origins is to deny its message and to disregard why millions of men and women struggled. The history of Capoeira is, at present, still open for debate, whether we are talking about its origins, its development, the evolution of its form, and its traditions, or even the introduction of musical instruments that are used today. The point that is without doubt being most debated on, is clearly its origin, even though a majority agrees that Capoeira was a Brazilian creation with African origins. This art has undoubtedly evolved in the course of centuries and the form that is practiced today is very different from what was carried out in the past. To understand the past of Capoeira is to understand the essentials that make up the art today as it is practiced and possibly its future evolution.The etymology of the term "Capoeira", like its history, is still subject to research. The study of the origins of...

Slavery is the condition in which an individual is deprived of his/her freedom and becomes exploitable by another person as if he/she were a tangible property. Evidence about slavery has been found in Egyptian carvings dating back to 8000 years B.C, but it looks like it began to proliferate only after the invention of farming (it does not appear that hunter-gatherers kept any slaves). Slavery cannot be associated with a single country or agenda; it still exists today in most countries of the world (despite its abolition). Different types of slavery can be found today, depending on the countries or the social classes. Its traditional form (an individual becomes the property of another person and can be sold/bought along with his/her children) is an integral part of the history of Capoeira, particularly that of Afro-Brazilians and the Brazilian native people. To understand this history also means understanding Capoeira and its people, who never received the justice they deserved. Brazil is the biggest and most populated country in Latin America. It’s also the fifth largest country in the world, with respect to its area and population: Brazil covers half the territory of South America and holds more than half its inhabitants. It shares borders...

Many Capoeiristas have been portrayed in the world of Capoeira, some for their feats, some for their mischief, or some for the contributions they have made to the art. Each of these figures represent one of the aspects of Capoeira. Through their charisma, they practiced a Capoeira of the past; they have become the roots of today’s Capoeira, and the base that will be used to create the Capoeira of the future. It is necessary to know the story of these Capoeira legends in order to understand the development of the art and to respect the perpetuation of the knowledge that they have transmitted....