Capoeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuˈejɾɐ / kapwˈɐjɾɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance,[1][2][3] acrobatics,[4] and music.[5][6] It was developed in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its quick and complex maneuvers, predominantly using power, speed, and leverage across a wide variety of kicks, spins, and other techniques.
The most widely accepted origin of the word capoeira comes from the Tupi words ka'a ("jungle") e pûer ("it was")[citation needed], referring to the areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior where fugitive slaves would hide. A practitioner of the art is called a capoeirista (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuejˈɾistɐ]).
On 26 November 2014, capoeira was granted a special protected status as "intangible cultural heritage" by UNESCO.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
