Capoeira began in the sixteenth century, during the time that Brazil was a colony of Portugal. The manpower of African slaves was widely used in Brazil, mainly in plantations (farms producing sugar) in the north-east. Many of these slaves came from the region of Angola, also a Portuguese colony. Angolans in Africa, did many dances to music (Bassula, N'golo).
Upon arrival in Brazil, the Africans felt the need to develop ways to protect themselves against violence and repression of Brazilian settlers. They were constantly the targets of violent practices and punishments of the plantation owners. When fleeing from the plantations, they were persecuted by the capitães-do-mato (captains of the woods), who had a very violent way of capturing.
Plantation owners forbade slaves to practice any kind of self-defence. Therefore, slaves used the rhythm and movements of African dances. Concealed within these dances Capoeira emerged as a martial art. It was an important instrument of cultural and physical resistance for the Brazilian slaves.
The practice of Capoeira occurred in terraces near the senzalas (slave quarters) and its main functions were to preserve culture, relief stress from work and maintain physical health. Capoeira, often occurred in fields with small shrubs, called at the time Capoeira. The name of this place became the name of this art.
By the year 1930, the practice of Capoeira was banned in Brazil because it was seen as a subversive and violent practice. Police received authority to arrest the capoeiristas practicing this fight. In 1930, a major Brazilian capoeirista, Mestre Bimba, presented the fight to then president Getulio Vargas. The president enjoyed the art so much, that Capoeira became the national sport in Brazil.
Capoeira has three styles that differ in the movements and rhythm of musical accompaniment. The older style, created in the era of slavery, is called Capoeira Angola. The main characteristics of this style are slow musical rhythm, kicks thrown lower (close to the ground) and a lot of Malicia (trickery). The Regional style is characterized by a mixture of Malicia of the Capoeira Angola game with quick movements, to the sound of the berimbau. The strikes are fast and direct, and the stunts are not used. The third type is Capoeira Contemporânea (contemporary), which combines a little of the first two styles. This latter style of Capoeira is the most practiced today.
Capoeira in Cambridge:
Angola - Capoeira Angola Cambridge www.capoeiraangolacambridge.blogspot.com
Regional - Group Senzala www.capoeira-cambridge.co.uk Contemporânea - Grupo Negaça www.capoeiracambridge.co.uk