About Capoeira

The word Capoeira comes from Tupi-Guarani (an indigenous Brazilian language) and means (Mato Cortado) = (an overgrown area that has been cut back).

Capoeira arrived in Brazil in the sixteenth century with the African slaves, many of whom came from Banto, Angola and The Congo. The slaves played Capoeira in their slave quarters but had to disguise it as a dance to avoid punishment.

Capoeira is a combination of many skills but principally fight, dance, music and art. Players form a circle (roda) whilst two players "play" Capoeira in the centre, to the rhythm of the berimbau (a one-stringed instrument), the atabaque (a drum) and pandeiros (tambourines). Usually one person playing the berimbau starts a song and the players in the circle respond and accompany the rhythm by clapping their hands.

There are two major styles in Capoeira; Regional, created by Mestre Bimba and Angola (Mestre Pastinha).