What Is Capoeira?

The history of capoeira

Capoeira was created by enslaved Africans in Brazil, who preserved and disguised combat training inside music, dance, and play. Outlawed in Brazil until the 1930s, it survived in the streets and eventually became recognized as a national treasure. In 2014, UNESCO added the capoeira circle (roda) to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today capoeira is practiced in nearly every country in the world — including, now, the Charleston, South Carolina area.

What are the styles of capoeira?

Most schools today trace their practice to one of three broad styles. Capoeira Angola is the older, more traditional form — played lower to the ground, slower, and rich in ritual and strategy, preserved most famously by Mestre Pastinha. Capoeira Regional was systematized by Mestre Bimba in the 1930s: more upright, faster, and organized into training sequences, it helped legalize and legitimize capoeira in Brazil. Capoeira Contemporânea — the most common style worldwide today — blends elements of both, pairing Regional’s athleticism with Angola’s ritual and musicality. Most modern schools, including ours, teach within this blended tradition while honoring both roots.

How a capoeira class works

A typical class includes a warm-up, movement fundamentals (the ginga, kicks like the meia-lua and armada, and escapes like the esquiva), partner drills, and music. Students learn to sing call-and-response songs in Portuguese and play traditional instruments — the berimbau, pandeiro, and atabaque. Classes often end with a roda, where students apply what they’ve learned in a friendly game.

What beginners actually need to know

• You don’t need to be flexible, athletic, or musical to start.
• Nobody expects flips. Acrobatics are optional and come much later.
• The basic step (ginga) can be learned in your first class.
• Capoeira is cooperative — you play with a partner, not against an opponent.
• Most people come for the workout and stay for the music and community.

Frequently asked questions

Is capoeira a martial art or a dance?

Capoeira is a martial art — with real kicks, sweeps, and escapes — expressed through flowing, rhythmic movement set to live music. The dance-like quality is part of its history: enslaved Africans in Brazil disguised combat training as dance and play.

Is capoeira hard to learn?

Capoeira is challenging but very learnable. Beginners start with the ginga (the basic step), simple kicks, and escapes. You don't need flexibility, rhythm, or acrobatic ability to begin — those develop through practice.

Is capoeira a good workout?

Yes — it's one of the most complete workouts there is. An hour of capoeira commonly burns 500–800 calories and works strength, cardio, mobility, and balance, because the body moves in every direction: bending, twisting, inverting, and kicking.

Is capoeira effective for self-defense?

Capoeira teaches distance management, evasion, powerful kicks, and reading an opponent's rhythm — practical skills, even though the flashy acrobatics are for the game rather than a real confrontation.

What do the words roda, ginga, and berimbau mean?

The roda is the circle of people where capoeira is played. The ginga is the constant swaying base step every movement flows from. The berimbau is the single-string musical bow that leads the music and sets the pace of the game.

Learn more

• Capoeira classes in Charleston, SC
• Kids capoeira in Charleston