HISTORY OF CAPOEIRA
Rooted in the rich African cultures brought to Brazil by slaves, Capoeira's history, mostly oral, is a subject of much debate. It is the teachings of old Masters and a few surviving documents that tell the story of this singular art. Capoeira's origin dates back 500 years to the beginnings of Brazil's slave trade period. Through out the 488 year slave trade the Congo, Bantu, and Angolan tribes met and intermingled in the senzalas (slave quarters) and in the quilombos (escape slave nations). From this intermingling of cultures came a melding of traditions and rituals, and capoeira was born.

Capoeira and its practitioners persevered through centuries of marginalization and discrimination and today the art has evolved from cultural ritual to martial art to way of life. This once clandestine vehicle of physical and spiritual empowerment, has transformed itself into a staple of Brazilian society. What was once outlawed by police is now an international phenomenon. Across the globe in fitness circles, artist communities, on print and television film we see capoeira's legacy.