www.vancouvercapoeira.com

About Capoeira

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art created by African captives in Brazil.

The true history of the art is unclear. In the 1500's, many Africans were taken from different areas of West Africa and brought to Brazil to be used as slaves. Faced with the destruction of their culture and armed with the desire for freedom, they began developing techniques for defense and escape.

Capoeira was repressed by the military and prohibited in 1839 by Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca, but it resisted the system until its legalization in1930, in 1974 it was recognized as the second national sport of Brazil. Since then, it has extended beyond Brazilian borders.

Today, capoeira is widely known and played all over the world. Communities across North America practice the art and it has grown in popularity in Canada over the last 15 years. It is a beautiful, hypnotic art form: a fight and dance that combines gymnastics, martial arts, music, culture and history. The capoeirista must learn to balance physical strength with mental acuity, learning the history of the game, and to play the many musical instruments.

Capoeira is usually played with two people who use learned movements. The style and speed of the game is determined by the rhythm of the most important instrument in capoeira: the Berimbau. While the berimbau and other instruments play, the participants and audience sing and clap to help maintain the high level of energy and freedom that characterizes the capoeira game.