Capoeira carioca

Capoeira carioca was a street fighting version of capoeira that existed in Rio de Janeiro during the 19th century. In capoeira carioca, all available means were used, including various types of weapons, such as knives, straight razors, clubs and machetes. Capoeira from this period is also known as capoeiragem.

Rio de Janeiro was the epicentre of capoeira in the 19th century. In the early 19th century, it transmitted primarily among black slaves born in Portuguese Angola.^[1] Africans were massively present in the Rio, performing their games, celebrations, festivals. They formed their capoeira maltas, slaves "fraternal paramilitary organizations" that defended the neighborhoods.^[2]

As of the mid-19th century, capoeira was increasingly detached from its music and dancing and was essentially a criminal activity.^[3] After the Paraguayan War (1865-1870), the capoeiras became involved in politics.^[4] By the late 19th century, capoeirista demographics in Rio had changed significantly, with the majority being free Creoles (blacks born in Brazil), mixed, and whites.

The widespread violent capoeira practice in Rio led to a nationwide ban on capoeira. After the ban in 1890 and the subsequent mass arrests of capoeira maltas, this style of capoeira is generally extinct.

Contemporary capoeira comes from the traditional capoeira Angola, preserved in Bahia.