Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. It was developed in Brazil mainly by Africans beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed and leverage for leg sweeps.* THE WORD CAPOEIRA PROBABLY COMES FROM THE Tupi LANGUAGE referring to the ares of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior.
Capoeira is believed to be connected with tribal fighting, called "Engolo", from the Benguela Highlands region of Angola. In many tribes in Africa a tradition exists where people fight each other in order to acquire a bride or desired women. They fight without weapons, and are held inside a circle.
In the 6th century, Portugal had claimed one of the largest territories of the colonial empires, but lacked people to colonize it, especially workers.
In the Brazilian colony, the Portuguese, like many other European colonists, chose to use slavery to supply this shortage*** of workers.
In the Brazilian colony, the Portuguese, like many other European colonists, chose to use slavery to supply this shortage*** of workers.
In its first century the main economic activity in the colony was the production and processing of sugarcane. Portuguese used to create large sugarcane farms called "engenhos", which were dependent on the labor of enslaved workers. Slaves, living in inhumane and humiliating conditions, were forced to work hard and often suffered physical punishment for any small misbehavior. ****
Even though the slaves outnumbered***** the Portuguese colonists, the lack of weapons, the colonial law, the disagreement between knowledge about the new land and its surroundings usually discouraged the idea of a rebellion.
In this environment, capoeira was born not as a fighting style, but as a hope for survival. It was a hope of survival because they would say they were dancing when a colonist came along but really were practicing fighting and preparing to fight back.
A tool with which an escaped slave completely unequipped, could survive in the hostile, unknown land and face the hunt of the 'capitães do mato', the armed and mounted colonial agents who were in charge of finding and capturing escapees. Although unarmed and unequipped, once they had learnt how to fight they could break free.
Word bank
Word bank
*leg sweeps = rasteiras, "chinelas" ( o golpe)
**bride= noiva
***shortage=escassez, falta de
****misbehavior= má conduta, mau comportamento
***** to outnumber = estar em maior número
****** to be in charge of sth = estar encarregado de, reponsável por
