ABOUT
  - CAPOEIRA REGIONAL

There's a common misconception among many that Capoeira was brought into the Americas by African slaves from Angola. And although it's true that Capoeira was developed, evolved and came into existance at the hands of African descendants, there exist no documentation of Capoeira ever existing in Africa.

One can see in the Capoeira game the fierce martial techniques the now Brazilian slaves developed to defend themselves. The rituals surrounding the Capoeira game originate back from the spirit of Comdomblé, a Brazilian of African and Christian religious traditions.

The in the songs one can hear Tupi' Guarani, an indigenous Brazilian language, combined with Portuguese, the colonial language. The instruments that accompany the game are desdendants of instruments found across Africa, just as Brazilians today trance their lineage back to Angola, Zaire, Mozambique, Sudan, etc.

What is the difference between Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional?

"Regional" and "Angola" are the only forms of Capoeira in existence today.

Capoeira Angola is known as a more antiquated form of Capoeira - the remnants of an even older form of Capoeira developed by the African slaves which no longer exists. It is the foundation and starting point of the Capoeira Regional that was codified by Mestre Bimba in the early nineteen-twenties. The game of Angola displays a great amount of symbolic stances and movements, as such the speed and pace of Angola are slow and ritualistic.

Capoeira Regional is the "newer" form of Capoeira between the two, a mixture of Capoeira Angola and Batuque, a not extinct form of Brazilian fighting. The game of Regional is pointedly different from that of Angola. Free of ritualistic and demostrative movements, its stance is high, its tempo is fast and its velocity, striking and powerful.

The gymnastic movements, grace and energy of Capoeira Regional has garnered widespread attention accross the world and exerted a powerful influence on urban culture. Breakdancers appropriated Capoeira's more gymnastic movements, and hip-hop continues to draw on Capoeira's style. Its energy is so intriguing that one can even see its influence over video games, music videos and car commercials.

  - MESTRE BIMBA

"O Bimba e Bamba". Mestre Bimba was the creator and father of Capoeira Regional and savior of Capoeira.

Today Capoeira is known as the national sport of Brasil with thousands of schools in operation and is even taught at universities. But at the end of the nineteenth century, Capoeira was at the brink of extinction. It was illegal to be seen practicing or playing Capoeira on the streets of Brasil and was seen by many as an activity reserved solely for vagrants and thieves. It was Mestre Bimba who would bring Capoeira into a different light.

Mestre Bimba did two things that would change the future of Capoeira. Firstly, he redefined the antiquated and dying arts of Capoeira Angola and Batuque into a new form of fighting called Capoeira Regional. Secondly, he taught this new style of fighting to all regardless of race, gender or back - Capoeira was previously practiced only by colored men, descendants of slaves.

Throughout his lifetime Mestre Bimba advocated Capoeira as a formal martial art and sport activity, saw Capoeira's proliferation within his country and most importantly, affected the legalization of Capoeira which was realized on July 23, 1958.