From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Portugal shipped slaves into South America from western Africa. Brazil was one of the many American destinations for African captives, with 42% of all enslaved peoples shipped across the Atlantic. Most commonly sold into... [more]
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Portugal shipped slaves into South America from western Africa. Brazil was one of the many American destinations for African captives, with 42% of all enslaved peoples shipped across the Atlantic. Most commonly sold into Brazil were Akan, Igbo, Yoruba, Dahomean, Muslim Guineans, Hausa, and Bantu (among them Kongos, Kimbundas, and Kasanjes) from Angola, Congo and Mozambique.
These Africans brought their cultural traditions and religions with them to the New World. One theory suggests that capoeira originated from a fern courtship dance in Angola used by suitors of young women, however, this is only one of many disputed theories. There is contention as to whether the game arrived with enslaved Africans or whether Africans refined a preexisting Brazilian game. One catalyst for capoeira was the homogenization of African people under the oppression of slavery. Capoeira emerged as a way to resist oppression, secretly practice art, transmit culture, and lift spirits. [show less]