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Welcome to Capoeira Quilombo de San Diego
 Capoeira is a Brazilian form of combat adapted by African slaves to fight oppression in the 1700s. Capoeira is dance-like, and many believe it was developed this way to be disguised as a dance to the slave owners when in fact they were practicing their kicks and blows.  Thus, there is also a whole style of capoeira music which goes along with the martial arts culture. Two well known styles are Angola and Regional.
If you are interested in capoeira classes please click on the classes link located on the main menu. You will also be able to see our locations & class schedules.
History of Capoeira
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Portugal shipped slaves into South America from western Africa. The South American country of Brazil was the most common destination for African captives with 42% of all enslaved peoples shipped across the Atlantic. Most commonly sold into Brazil were Akan, Igbo, Yoruba, Dahomean, Muslim Guineans, Hausa, and Bantu (among them Kongos, Kimbundas and Kasanjes) from Angola, Congo and Mozambique. These Africans brought their cultural traditions and religions with them to the New World.  One theory suggests that capoeira originated from a courtship dance in Angola used by suitors of young women, however, capoeira's origins are often disputed. There is contention as to whether it arrived with enslaved Africans or whether Africans refined it once they reached Brazil.
One catalyst for capoeira was the homogenization of African people under the oppression of slavery. Capoeira emerged as a way to resist oppression, secretly practice art, transmit culture, and lift spirits. This form of capoeira is best represented in capoeira Angola (which continues to uphold the roots of capoeira) today. Some historians believe that the indigenous peoples of Brazil also played an important role in the development of capoeira.
» Read more on the history ... |
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