Capoeira was originally developed by slaves in Brazil, who had been brought over from Africa by the Portuguese. Capoeira was both a release for the slaves from the hardship of their daily lives, and a method of self-defence.
In order to disguise the martial arts aspect of capoeira, the slaves incorporated elements of dance into the movements. This allowed the slaves to continue the tradition of capoeira without arousing the suspicions of the slave owners. Capoeira survived in this fashion for over four hundred years.
Despite the long tradition of capoeira in Brazil, it was for a long time associated with criminal gangs. Because of this, capoeira was illegal in Brazil for many years. Capoeiristas were forced to train and play in secret, and often had to escape at a moment's notice from police raids. From this, capoeiristas often gave each other nicknames to hide their identity. This practise is continued today, and capoeiristas are often given nicknames within their club.
In 1928, a famous master named Mestre Bimba founded the first legal capoeira school in Brazil. He developed a style of capoeira based on the traditional movements and the faster "street" styles. This style became known as "Regional", as opposed to the traditional "Angola".
Capoeira is played inside a circle of people known as the roda. The players perform kicks, jumps and acrobatics, depending on the style of capoeira, in attempt to demonstrate their skill and test their opponent. The play is almost always non-contact.
The roda is led by the musicians, who play instruments and sing in order to set the flow of the game. Music is extremely important in capoeira; singing and playing instruments is just as important as learning the moves. The pace of the music changes between the two styles, Capoeira Angola or Capoeira Regional.
Capoeira Angola is the original style of capoeira developed by the slaves in Brazil. (The first slaves in Brazil are said to have come from Angola.) Angola is played to slow music, and the players stay low on the floor. The moves are also slow, and require a great level of control. The players attempt to put their opponent off balance, using a number of movements and tricks.
Capoeira Regional is a newer style of capoeira, developed by Mestre Bimba. Regional is characterised by its fast style of play, high kicks, and acrobatics. It is this style that has become most famous outside of Brazil.
Music is of great importance in capoeira, and the players of the instruments are vital to the roda. The music is played on a variety of instruments, and all the capoeiristas join in the choro, or singing.
The berimbau is the most famous of the instruments used in capooeira. It consists of a bow-like curve of wood, strung with wire. A gourd is attached at the base to amplify the sound. The berimbau is played by striking the wire with a stick to produce a note. This note is altered by touching a stone, held between the thumb and forefinger, to the wire. A full roda consists of three berimbaus of different sizes: the small viola, the medium-sized medio, and the large gunga.
Controlling the rhythm are two percussion instruments. The first of these is the pandeiro, better known as a tambourine. A full roda may contain one or two pandeiros. The second percussion instrument is the atabaque, which is a large drum, played by striking it with the hands.
Today, capoeira has spread from Brazil and is practised all over the world. It provides a method for people to come together to play and to sing, as well as to improve their fitness, well-being and confidence. Thousands of clubs all over the world practise the different styles, and keep alive a tradition that originated over 400 years ago.
Capoeira can be played by anyone, of any age and at any level of fitness. It provides many benefits, both physically and mentally, but more than anything it is fun.