Capoeira is a unique Brazilian art form that combines martial arts, acrobatics, and dance-like movement performed to the beat of traditional Brazilian instruments. Though historians agree that Capoeira was developed in Brazil and demonstrates a clear African influence, details on the history of Capoeira are still debated within the Capoeira community.  Even the definition of the word “Capoeira” itself remains uncertain. The most widely agreed-upon explanation of the art suggests that it was developed between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries by African slaves imported to Brazil during the slave trade.

Prohibited from openly practicing forms of self-defense, slaves living on Brazilian plantations disguised their training by incorporating elements of dance, acrobatics, ritual, and music into their practice. The result was a “game” of movement featuring fluid ground movement, martial sequences, and challenging acrobatics performed to the energetic singing and clapping of spectators. The practice of martial arts was not the only activity prohibited by slave owners. Traditional dances, singing, and other activities that could unite the slaves were also outlawed. Some historians believe this to be one of the reasons that Capoeira evolved the way that it did, an ever-changing art that could neither be defined nor successfully banned.

 

Capoeira is a combination of old and new. The style we teach at Capoeira Zoador is a contemporary approach that combines rituals and philosophy of traditional Capoeira with modern training concepts and balanced beauty of movements.