Capoeira Day in Brazil

Although debated, the most widely accepted origin of the word capoeira comes from the Tupi words ka'a ("forest") paũ ("round"), referring to the areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior where fugitive slaves would hide. Today capoeira is practiced around the world, and it is known for helping create increased body awareness as well as mental acuity. Capoeiristas benefit from faster reflexes and they learn how to create graceful, impactful movement through the martial art.

It was created by the African people who where capture by the Portuguese and brought to Brazil to be slaves in the 1500s. The slaves were put to work in the field to harvest sugarcane. These slaves created the earliest form of Capoeira to increase their chances of liberty and independence.