How to Learn the History of Capoeira

Capoeira is a martial art form that originated in Brazil. This sport combines dance steps, music and drum rhythms to form a unique, exciting form of combat. Learn the history of this increasingly popular sport by studying its origin and its historical connection to Portugal, Brazil and Angola.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A public library card
• "Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-fight-game"
• "Capoeira: the History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art"

1. Find a modern world history textbook or visit websites about Brazil. Explore the topic of Portugal's colonization of Brazil and their African slave trading activities. Find information about the cultural roots of the original capoeira dance steps in the regions of Africa where Portugal got the slaves that they took to Brazil.
2. Read "Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-fight-game" or "Capoeira: the History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art" to get an overview of the history of this sport. Learn about African resistance to slavery in Brazil. Find these books at major online bookstores and some public libraries.
3. Research historical articles online about the connection between Portugal, Brazil, and Angola and the different styles of capoeira. The Capoeira Texas website is a trusted source.
4. Get a taste of capoeira music. Listen to and read some historical and modern lyrics at the capoeirista website.
5. Visit the forums at the capoeirista website to understand how capoeira music became an essential part of this popular martial art.
6. Attend a local capoeira demonstration or exhibition in your area. In the United States, most demonstrations will include English narrations that explain the history of capoeira techniques, music and dance.

Tips & Warnings

• Most Brazilian websites are written in Portuguese, use Babelfish or Google's language tools to translate them if you get interesting search results from Brazil.
• Find out where you can see a live capoeira performance by visiting the capoeira arts or capoeira world websites. These sites are updated regularly.
• In Brazil, all historical documents related to slavery were burned shortly after Brazil gained independence. Much of the written history of capoeira's development in Brazil was destroyed.