History

During the 1500s, Portugal shipped slaves into South America from all over Africa. Brazil was the largest contributor to slave migration with 42% of all slaves shipped across the Atlantic arriving there. These people brought their cultural traditions and religion with them to the New World. The homogenization of the African people under the oppression of slavery was the catalyst for Capoeira. Capoeira was developed by the slaves of Brazil as a way to resist their oppressors, secretly practice their art, transmit their culture, and lift their spirits. Some historians believe that the indigenous peoples of Brazil also played an important role in the development of Capoeira.

After slavery was abolished, the slaves moved to the cities of Brazil, and with no employment to be found, many joined or formed criminal gangs. They continued to practice Capoeira, and it became associated with anti-government or criminal activities. As a result, Capoeira was outlawed in Brazil in 1892. The punishment for practicing it was extreme, and the police were vicious in their attempt to stamp out the art. Capoeira continued to be practiced, but it moved further underground.

In the 1930s the ban on Capoeira was finally lifted by the Government of Brazil after many famous Capoeira Mestres helped it break free of its tarnished reputation.

It is now practiced in universities, dance schools, primary and high schools, in gyms, on the beaches and the streets across the globe. Capoeira has acquired prestige and admiration, and can now be seen in major Hollywood movies, and in television commercials and dance programs.

In the time of the slaves, Capoeira was an instrument of resistance, today it is a vehicle of social change.