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Women in Capoeira

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March is a month of significance, because it is a month dedicated to celebrating women, what they can do and have achieved. Capoeira is one of those things that started as a way to earn freedom, not just for men, but for women as well. Unlike a lot of martial arts and sports that you see in today's societies, Capoeira really caters to no particular gender. It's a martial arts that is very inclusive, and is something that has grown into empowering women and men alike. In the roda (circle that capoeiristas play in) you should be focused on playing a good game, not on the other persons' gender, and that is what makes Capoeira so unique. In Capoeira, we all get tired, we all get blisters, and we all train. In sports like Gymnastics, Swimming, Wrestling and so many others, the divisions of gender are very apparent. However, in a martial art like Capoeira, we are all train and play together, as one whole community, regardless of gender, age or ability. In Capoeira,
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In honor of the Black History Month, we're starting this blog in February, talking about how Capoeira evolved throughout history, starting with the African slave trade. This Afro-Brazilian Martial Arts dates back to abut 500 years ago, when the slave trade had begun bringing slaves to Brazil. From there slaves from West and Central Africa assembled senzalas (slave quarters), and with establishment of these quarters came distinct traditions, languages, food, dance, and of course Capoeira. Slave settlements in Brazil were first established in the 16th century, when the land was colonized by Portugal, using slavery to build and sustain the economy by working in agricultural development. Slaves in Brazil were mainly working in sugar cane farms to supply Portugal with something to trade other European countries with. Slaves lived in inhumane conditions, having to work all day long, where many of them died, suffered loss of limbs, as well as physical punishment from their owners. Ev
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