Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends elements of dance, acrobatics, music, and combat. Originating from African slaves in Brazil, it was developed as a form of self-defence disguised as a dance to avoid detection from their captors. The art is characterised by fluid, rhythmic movements, including spinning kicks, sweeps, and high-flying acrobatics. What sets Capoeira apart from other martial arts is its emphasis on the connection between movement, rhythm, and music. Unlike traditional martial arts that focus primarily on strikes, grapples, or self-defence techniques, Capoeira is more about fluid motion and creating an almost dance-like flow between practitioners.

Capoeira originated in Brazil during the 16th century when African slaves were brought over by the Portuguese. To maintain their cultural identity and defend themselves against their captors, the slaves developed Capoeira as a form of self-defence disguised as a dance. The movements were designed to look like a playful dance, with acrobatic kicks, sweeps, and spins, making it difficult for slave owners to recognise it as a fighting art. Over time, Capoeira evolved into a more organised practice, and after slavery was abolished in Brazil, it became a symbol of resistance and pride.

Capoeira competitions are a bit different from traditional martial arts tournaments, as they focus more on the "game" (jogo) rather than strict combat. The most common type of Capoeira "competition" is the roda, which is a circle formed by practitioners where two Capoeiristas take turns performing moves in the centre. While there’s no official winner or loser, the competition is about demonstrating skill, creativity, and fluidity within the rhythm of the music. The other type is a batalha (battle). It is a one-on-one Capoeira match, often occurring within a roda. The goal is to display agility, control, and technique in response to your opponent’s moves, rather than trying to strike or submit them.