Akshay Kumar in Capoeira

CAPOEIRA

Capoeira is a martial art founded more than 300 years ago by African slaves that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. Capoeira encompasses back flips, cartwheels, sweeping movements, and spectacular kicks.

Participants form a circle and take turns either playing musical instruments, singing, or sparring. The sparring occurs in pairs in the center of the circle. The sparring is marked by fluid acrobatic play. Sparrers make extensive use of sweeps, kicks, and head butts. Less frequently used techniques include elbow strikes, slaps, punches, and body throws. A large majority of the techniques consist of leg movements but the hands must also be trained, especially for balance.

Most of its defensive techniques are elusive and devoid of blocking motions. Capoeira practitioners are extremely adept at evading an attack and then countering with any number of hand or foot movements. Many of the foot motions are performed while in a handstand position.

Its origins and purpose are a matter of debate, as historians are divided between those who believe it is a direct descendant of African fighting styles and those who believe it is a uniquely Brazilian dance form distilled from various African and Brazilian influences.

It was developed by Brazilian slaves brought from Africa some time after the 16th century in the northeastern regions of Quilombo dos Palmares in the state of Alagoas in Brazil with strong presence in the actual states of Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro.

Slaves performed the movements as a religious dance. Because of the brutality of many slave traders, the slaves soon transformed the Capoeira moves into a system of self-defense. Since their hands were often chained, they placed emphasis on leg and head-butting techniques.

In the 17th Century a large number of slaves escaped to cities and villages around Brazil. Capoeira grew wherever they settled. The art reached its height in the 19th Century, when many Capoeira practitioners roamed the streets in criminal pursuits. At one point in the early 1800’s, fines were levied against those who practiced Capoeira.

For some time, Capoeira was criminalized and prohibited in Brazil and banned by the government for most of its history. Though, Brazil's Mestre Bimba was finally successful in convincing the authorities of the cultural value of capoeira, thus ending the official ban. In 1928, the Brazilian government formally recognized the art and in 1972 it became an official Brazilian sport.

Today there are many capoeira schools outside of Brazil all over the world, especially in Japan and throughout the United State. Capoeira has gained popularity among non-Brazilian and non-African practitioners for the fluidity of its movements.