In April 1500 AD, The Portuguese arrived in Brazil for the first time as colonisers. During that era, the indigenous population of Brazil numbered around one million Indian tribesmen. The Portuguese attempted to enslave these Indians, but found them difficult to catch and very unwilling workers. This resulted in the Portuguese bringing African slaves onto Brazilian soil in great numbers. Some of the most common places slaves were sent to work were the sugar cane and coffee plantations. At night, large numbers of slaves were forced into sleeping quarters called "Senzala". These Senzalas were always overcrowded and terribly unhygienic.

In their continual quest for liberation from Portuguese landowners, the African and Indian slaves persisted in improving their fighting skills. It was never easy, as the Portuguese created numerous obstacles. The slaves were often kept shackled and the practice of fighting skills was forbidden. Despite these difficulties the slaves continued to develop a style of fighting disguised as a form of dance and celebration.

With the combination of music and song, Capoeira was born. Within a movement Capoeira could be transformed from a graceful dance or show of acrobatics into a lethal martial art. The accompanying music contained messages of freedom and hope to those still enslaved. In 1888 AD, slavery was abolished and most of the records of the slaves were destroyed. The destruction of these records meant that to this day, the history and origins of Capoeira's creators remain in doubt. During that time, it became an offence to practice Capoeira and the punishment was imprisonment or deportation. This forced the Capoeiristas to practice more secretively and find safe areas - such as in the jungle or mountains - where they could continue "playing".

Two men stand out as pioneers in making Capoeira an accepted and respected element of Brazilian culture and history. These two men - MESTRE PASTINHA (master of Capoeira Angola) and MESTRE BIMBA (creator of Capoeira Regional ) - gained the support of the public to ensured Capoeira be recognised by the government and eventually be made the national sport of Brazil. Through all the trials and tribulations that Capoeira has endured over the years it still manages to inspire each player in the search of a personal sense of liberation and equality.

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