A peculiar word

The origins of the word Capoeira is equally vague. Some people think that it would come from kipura, a Kikongo word (Angola language) refering to cockerels movements while fighting. Other suggest that it may be resulting from capa-huaraa - an Amerindian word to designating herbs where slaves hide themselves when they were escaping.

The disguised fight of the slaves 

In Brazil, Capoeira was developed in slaves homes - the senzalas. Not being allowed to fight, they disguised their fight into a dance. Because their hands were often hindered by chains they favored the use of their legs. 

Capoeira becomes a means to resist for Black people, as physically as morally. Encouraged by this philosophy, many slaves run away from jungle and create free villages called Quilombos. The most famous Quilombo was the one Zumbi fighted for at the end of 17e century. This Quilombo had become so big that the portuguese army had to attack it with the whole army. Unarmed capoeirists would not survive to canon shots. But Zumbi is considered has been considered a hero for Black people since then.

After these events, Capoeira is associated to runaway slaves and outlaws. As a result anyone caught playing capoeira would be arrested immediately. However during war against Paraguay in 1864, captured capoeirists are enrolled and turned out to be very effective soldiers. This is at the Parana battle that the famous song « Paranae, Paranae, Parana »was first sang, celebrating capoeirists victory. 

Prohibition and offense of "capoeiragem"

In 1888 slavery was abolished. The slaves finally turned free but many find themselves unemployed. Then, those practicing Capoeira make criminal use of their martial knowledge by robbing or becoming henchmen. Already poorly perceived by the population, Capoeira was more than ever associated with delinquents. In 1890 a law is passed to forbid its practice by punishing the "capoeiragem" offense.

It is during that period that Besouro de Maganga (also nicknamed as Besouro Cordão de Ouro) made himself knew and recognized as the most exceptional capoeirist of all times. Because he was challenging police and owners of plantation - exceeding their rights - he is still remembered as an outstanding upholder of the law.

The incarnation of fighting against inequalities 

At the beginnings of 20th century, Capoeira keeps being transmited and despite being forbidden it is incorporated to religious demonstrations, besides samba and forro. Little by little, it is spread outside od Bahia where it was first developped and is exported within the whole country. It also becomes a means for Black people to impose their culture and fight against inequalities.

Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola

In 1928, Mestre Bimba creates the fundamentals of Capoeira Regional, a more martial version of the fight in which he adds movements coming from asiatic an europeans martial arts. He also obtains the right to teach it. And the practice of Capoeira is opened to new social classes, women and white people.

In 1941, Mestre Pastinha establishes Capoeira Angola, a more traditional style than the one developed by Bimba. Nowadays, both branches of Capoeira - Regional and Angola - are taught all over the world.

Acknowledgment and popularity

 With the emancipation of Black identity in the 60's, Capoeira is not only a militant act. It is found in folklorical and turistic demonstrations and becomes a show. Its practice also evolves as it travels and is being transposed in different places. Thus it gets its "contemporary" form that is to say borrowing to Regional and Angola and associating acrobatics.The musical aspect of capoeira also becomes more and more significant. Popular singers compose songs on Capoeira. Lapinha for example was written by Baden Powell in 1969 and tells the legend of Besouro

An international expansion

Capoeira is exported outside Brazil, starting with the United States of America then Europe, then other continents. It is growing on its original land: Africa