CAPOEIRA HISTORY


Combat games were widely practised by slaves and freed people in late colonial and imperial Brazil. Different modalities, known under the generic name capoeira, developed according to the vicissitudes of the transatlantic and internal slave trade, and also the local contexts in Pará, Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio de Janeiroand other regions. Capoeira usually involved some form of mock combat in a circle, accompanied by instruments, hand clapping and singing. Whilst friendly games were part of slave and popular diversions, rougher games could end in brawls, injuries and even death.