
Capoeira or the Dance of War by Johann Moritz Rugendas, 1835
The history of capoeira begins in the 18th century. The oldest known
descriptive text on capoeira was written by Melo de Morais Filho,
who documented the popular traditions of Brazil.
The slaves in Brazil during their battle for freedom created Capoeira.
Since then capoeira has developed and today there are two forms
of capoeira; one is called Capoeira Angola and the other called
Capoeira Regional. Capoeira Angola is a slower and lower style where
Capoeira Regional is faster and has adapted other martial art movements
such as Savate and Batukue.
Capoeira Angola is the closest form to the capoeira played amongst
the slaves, and does not have a specific founder.
Among the Masters of Capoeira was Mestre Pastinha.
(Vicente Ferreira Pastinha, 1889-1982). Master Pastinha created a
Capoeira Angola school in Salvador and he wrote a book about Capoeira
Angola and also recorded an album which was called (Mestre Pastinha
e sua Academia).
Capoeira Regional was created by Mestre Bimba (Manoel
Dos Reis Machado) who was born on November the 23rd 1899 in Salvador,
the capital of Bahia.
He was the first Master to open a formal school of capoeira in 1932.
This changed the history of capoeira because his academy was recognised
by the Brazilian government through the office of education and
public assistance.
He had a specific method of teaching which included sequences and
gradings.
These two Masters are very important for the history and the philosophy
of capoeira.
It is important to mention that nowadays you will find a form of
capoeira which is different than the styles mentioned above which
some people refer to as contemporary capoeira which includes acrobatic
movements that you wont find in the pure Angola or regional.
READ MORE:
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Mestre Pastinha |
Mestre Bimba |
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Mestre Cangiquinha |
Mestre Suassuna |
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Mestre Bimba SP |
Mestre Valdemar |
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Mestre Ze Antonio, Poncianinho |
Fire dance |
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