Two young Capoeiristas practicing Capoeira outside a Modernist theatre designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Capoeira is a mixture of martial arts, games, and dance that originated in Brazil created and developed by African slaves during the 16th century. Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and sparring in pairs. Enormously acrobatic, Capoeira was for most of it's existence, banned by the Brazilian authorities. It is now seen as a national sport.