Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art and game that includes elements of dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality.
Manuel dos Reis Machado, commonly called Mestre Bimba, was a Brazilian capoeira mestre and the founder of the capoeira regional style. Bimba was one of the best capoeiristas of his time, undefeated in numerous public challenges against fighters from various martial arts.
Vicente Ferreira Pastinha, known as Mestre Pastinha, was a mestre of the Afro-Brazilian martial art capoeira and a codifier of the traditional capoeira Angola style.
Capoeira de Angola or simply angola is the traditional style of capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art. A newer style, based on the reform of capoeira Angola, is called regional.
Cabeçada is a headbutt in capoeira. It is a commonly used strike and one of the fundamental techniques in traditional capoeira.
Martelo (hammer) is the name for roundhouse kick in capoeira. The kick targets the head of the opponent with the top of the foot.
N'golo is a traditional Bantu martial art and game from Angola, that combines elements of combat and dance, performed in a circle accompanied by music and singing. It is known as the forerunner of capoeira.
Rabo de arraia or meia-lua de compasso is a distinct technique found in the martial arts of engolo and capoeira, that combines an evasive maneuver with a reverse kick.
Agenor Moreira Sampaio, most commonly known as Mestre Sinhozinho, was a mestre or master practitioner of the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira. He was the main exponent of the fighting-oriented style known as capoeira carioca.
The history of capoeira explores the origins and development of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art, that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music.
Anníbal Burlamaqui (1898-1965), known as Mestre Zuma, was a Brazilian customs officer, poet, boxer and a prominent advocate for the sport of capoeira during its prohibition. He was one of the main proponents of the fighting-oriented capoeira carioca, without dance, music, and rituals.
Rabo de arraia is a parent technique in capoeira for inverted kicks over the head, resembling the stingray's strike. This parent term includes following major techniques:
Meia lua (crescent) or Meia lua de frente is one of the few principal kicks in capoeira. The kicking leg moves in the form of an arc before returning to its original position.
In capoeira, escorpião (scorpion), originally known as rabo de arraia, is a distinct inverted kick over the head, resembling the stingray's or scorpion strike.
Chapa de frente or bênção (blessing) is a front push kick with the sole of the foot. In some variants, bênção can be done with the heel in the chest.
Rasteira is a foot sweep technique in capoeira, which usually counters high kicks. It is one of the fundamental techniques in traditional capoeira.
Chapa de costas is a back push kick in capoeira, and one of the few principal capoeira's kicks. It is also basic kick in African martial art engolo, the forerunner of capoeira.
Jogo de dentro or jogo de baixo is style of playing capoeira on the ground, involving low movements, with capoeiristas supporting themselves with their feet and hands only. The body should not touch the ground in this modality.
Armada (armed) or meia lua de costas is a back crescent kick in capoeira. It is a very quick 360° spin kick delivered with the outside edge of the kicking foot.
