Capoeira, History and Culture of a People
Contrary to what many people think, the martial art Capoeira is genuinely Brazilian. Capoeira is a combination of dance, ritual and martial arts that developed out of the Portuguese trade of African slaves to Brazil the 16th century. Capoeira was illegal in Brazil until the 1930′s. According to studies, i the first slaves came to Brazil, but estimated to is somewhere around 1540.
They have also their beliefs and customs. At night, meeting in the slave quarters, singing and dancing by the pace of packed lattice (musical instrument of the time, similar to the tambourine). This “dance” was called by the slaves of “Dance of the Zebra” (n’angolo, Angolan dance). Given the need to protect against the whip and the “tree-trunk” of the maker, these slaves brought this dance, and various scams revolving traumatic, often fatal, according to the applied intensity and area affected. It is believed that this fusion of dance / coups has been the emergence of Capoeira, been to improve over the years. It is estimated that the Capoeira came around 1600.
The origin of the word Capoeira comes from the Tupi-Guarani, meaning “area of vegetation (” CAA “vegetation and “Puera”which was weed), where the fugitives are hiding slaves and formed the” quilombos “. One of the most important quilombos of our history was to Palmares (1604-1695), located in the Serra da Barriga (today’s state of Alagoas, in time, a captaincy of Pernambuco State), came to house approximately 30 thousand blacks. It was there that their leaders, Hum Ganga and then, Zumbi dos Palmares, were known for their battles and conquests, from the latter, the death on November 20, 1695 with two shots of the burning clothes, fired by Domingos Jorge Velho.
Important factor that contributed to the formation of quilombos were the French invasion, where the attention was diverted to them, encouraging the escape of blacks. In 1694, when the domain of the Hollandaise stopped, began the destruction of quilombos
The “Law of the sexagenarian” and “Lei do Ventre Livre” were milestones that, finally, the “Golden Law”, promulgated by Princess Isabel on May 13, 1888, signed the abolition of slavery.
Thereafter, capoeira is now widely practiced by freed slaves, been building up in the streets, squares and public events. They, being considered as an “inferior race” by the privileged social class, and some for failing to minimum conditions of survival, have to use Capoeira to promote public uproar and disorder. Given this, the capoeiragem is now prohibited, when the coming of the Royal Family to Brazil in 1808 and the establishment of the Royal Guard of Police, in 1809, the command of Major Miguel Nunes Vidigal. This was the real terror of capoeiristas.
In the government of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, capoeira was introduced in the Criminal Code (1890). The offenders were applied severe penalties as prisons and forced labor. However, they were practiced hidden, furtively, in backyards, beaches and nearby cities.
This situation lasted until 1932, when, finally, Getúlio Vargas, among other demonstrations, released the practice of capoeira. Manoel dos Reis Machado (Mestre Bimba – 1900/1974) was a major capoeirista that fought for the release of this sport, bringing it to national recognition.
Intrinsic to the capoeira, are the Maculelê, the dance of fire and pulled the fishing net which are other cultural event that recover from war and the rituals made by fisherman.
After several decades in anonymity, today this martial art has been widely disseminated nationally and internationally. Brazil is the largest exporter of professionals of this sport, especially to European countries.
Considered as a sport on the rise, it is presented in different social segments, such as community centers, associations, sports clubs, schools, universities, in addition to the numerous academies
Improvement of blood circulation, development of motor coordination, stimulation of creativity, increased muscle mass, the elasticity of reflection, of self and self-esteem, are some of the benefits that sport brings to its followers, in addition to establishing harmony between spirit and body.
His philosophy is to contribute to the formation of human values and ethics, based on respect, socialization and freedom through work that promote the Brazilian culture. All this trying to strengthen and enhance capoeirista in its character, value and personal dignity.
The Capoeira is the heritage of Brazilian culture. It is the living expression of the freedom of a people, therefore, deserves our respect.
