Capoeira Mandinga

Capoeira originated in Brazil in the 1600s. The only indigenous American martial art, it was developed by African slaves in Brazil. Capoeira began to take form amongst the community of slaves that worked on the sugar cane plantations, the docks and various other slave works. It became a strong weapon in the life and death struggle against their oppressors. When the owners of the sugar cane fields realized the power of capoeira, they began to punish those who practiced it, sometimes with death. Capoeiristas learned to camouflage the forbidden fight with singing and clapping as though it were simply entertainment.The fight was disguised behind the dance - a dance that could be as graceful as a panther and as treacherous as a snake.

Mestre Bimba, with his good will and love of the art was able to take capoeira from being forbidden by law and transformed it into Brazil’s national sport. He along with Mestre Pastinha was the first to open schools and the capoeira tree grew, spreading its branches across the world.

We believe in diversity. We like to see different Capoeiristas playing differently; training to be versatile. "A Capoeirista must be a chameleon," according to Mestre Suassuna. We must play whatever game is called by the berimbau and that is appropriate to the context. We practice creativity; expressing ourselves through Capoeira.



"Are we Angola or Regional ?", a student once asked. "The other kind," said Marcelo, "We just play Capoeira."

Under the watchful eye of Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha, we are dedicated to creating and maintaining a level of excellence in technique, ritual, and tradition in the training and performance of Capoeira. The mission of the Capoeira Institute includes promoting and educating the general public, especially disadvantaged youth, about Capoeira, other Brazilian dances, and Brazilian culture.

For more information about our academy and classes, please visit www.mandinga.org

The Meaning of Mandinga