History

Capoeira Angola, although a part of Brazilian folklore, has roots in Africa. According to teachings of old mestres, capoeira originates from N'golo (zebra dance), a ritual fight-dance performed by young men, with the winner having the right to choose his wife and not having to pay for her. N'golo is present in tribes of Western Africa, the region where portuguese colonists captured most of the slaves transported to Brazil. African slaves, coming to the plantations of South America, continued to nurture their cultural heritage and religion, with the exception that weapons and martial arts were prohibited by the slave masters. In these conditions, capoeira was born, often practised in seclusion, masquerading the fighting element with dancing. On some plantations, slaves had some time free from work, and they often used it to get together and practice their traditions, dancing and music.

The word capoeira originates from Tupi Indian "ka puêra", which means short grass. The implication is that such clearings were secluded spaces hidden from the plantations ocerseers' eyes-spaces where African slaves might freely perform their dances. The word also carries the connotation of escaping to the "bush. After the slavery was abolished, fighting aspect of capoeira became a weapon of street urchins and thieves, giving capoeira a bad name, even though they were only a minority of capoiera practitioners. Even today, in Brazil, capoeira can often have a bad connotation. Without a doubt, capoeira arrived to Brazil with African slaves, keeping some of its fighting aspects intact up to present day. Today, capoeira has crossed Brazilian borders and has expanded to the entire globe. It is perceived today not only as martial art, but as a part of Brazilian culture, with its style varying greatly depending on the mestre and the school of capoeira. In some countries, it has been listed as an optional class in public schools. It is acknowledged as one of ten cultural heritages of Brazil.