Capoeira
a Brazilian dance infused martial art form

Capoeira is martial art infused dance, which is thought to have originated in the 16th century in Brazil. Although today capoeira has become somewhat omnipresent with the booming popularity of street acrobatics such as parkour, its history remains mysterious. Discover the story of this 500 year old martial art, and explore the best places to experience capoeira in Brazil.

Capoeira

Capoeira becomes Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The Capoeira Circle was inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 26 November 2014, in the 9th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICSICH).

Afro-Brazilian cultural practice

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian cultural practice, simultaneously a fight and a dance, that promotes mutual respect and social cohesion. Players form a circle at the centre of which two players engage with one another. The other players around the circle sing, chant, clap and play percussive instruments. The movements require great bodily dexterity.