Capoeira is a afro-brasilian cultural expression originated in Brasil that includes diverse facets. Although mostly known as being a martial art or fight, it is also a traditional art that uses corporal expression, music and oral linguistics.
In the XIV century many Africans were taken from different areas of west Africa and taken to Brazil to be used as slaves by the Portuguese. They were snatched of their land, but their culture and desire of freedom could not be taken from them. With this growing necessity of freedom, they started developing technics to defend themselves and escape.
Since slaves were not allowed to practice a martial art, the development of the art had to be disguised as a dance. In this way these "slaves" developed a way to practice offensive and defensive techniques with music, song and dance. In the History of Capoeira two names are very important: Mestre Bimba, creator of Capoeira Regional and Metre Pastinha, who in 1942 founded the first school of Capoeira Angola.
Capoeira is a form of expression:
Os negros usavam a Capoeira
para defender sua liberdade.
Mestre Pastinha
