WHAT is Capoeira?
In very simple terms, capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that incorporates kicks, fluid movements, acrobatics, and music.
BRIEF HISTORY:
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art thought to be created by African slaves who were captured by the Portuguese and brought to Brazil in the 1500's.
Due to lack of documentation, it is believed that these slaves created the earliest form of capoeira to increase their chances of liberty and independence. They disguised martial arts fighting techniques as a folk dance along with music to avoid getting caught by the masters.
After slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, capoeira went through many years of government banning as it was seen as a threat. People that would practice capoeira were seen as criminals and punished.
In the early 1930's, Mestre Bimba, a capoeirista known today as the father of Capoeira Regional, successfully changed the outcome for capoeira and all those who practice it. The Brazilian government officially recognized capoeira as a sport and legalized it in 1936. Today, capoeira is practiced by children, men, and women all over the world, and it is the 2nd national sport in Brazil.
Mestre Mangueira
Capo Capoeira, Master
Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia - Brazil (birthplace of capoeira), Mestre Mangueira learned capoeira at an early age and decided to make it his life to teach and pass on this beautiful martial art.
In 1994, Mestre Mangueira was hired as a capoeira performer and moved to Puerto Rico to start his career as a capoeirista. He later moved to South Florida and has been teaching ever since.
Apart from being an incredibly talented capoeirista, Mestre Mangueira shines even more in his ability to teach the art and pass along its rich culture and history. Dedication, patience, perseverance, and devotion make Mestre Mangueira one of, if not the best, capoeira Master in South Florida.
Our Team
Laura, Ceci, and Brahma, three loyal students of Mestre Mangueira, decided to open Capo Capoeira in 2014 along Mestre. Our motivation was to combine our expertise to build a school devoted solely to capoeira in Coral Springs. Capo Capoeira incorporates an after-school program, a demo team, summer camp, and daily capoeira classes for all ages.