Welcome to the Grupo Maculelê London website. What is Capoeira? Capoeira is a an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art that combines both music and dance. It was created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa, some time after the 15th century. It was developed in the region of quilombos (A place where slaves who had escaped lived). Having a great influence on the Afro-Brazilian generations, with the strong presence as a cultural event, today Capoeira is played all over Brazil and the world. Participants in a Roda, or circle, take turns playing musical instruments, singing and ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the roda(circle). It is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, extensive use of sweeps and kicks. The enegy coming from claps of all participants and great influence of unique musical instruments such as Berimbau keep momentum in the game and encourage everyone to play! Events  |    |