The Slaves In Brazil
About 300 years ago slavery was very popular in Brazil. The Portuguese brought slaves from Africa to work in the plantations where sugar and tobacco were the main crops. During the history of the slave trade, it is estimated that more than two million slaves were brought over. These slaves came from different regions of Africa and thus had different cultures. They were distributed in three main ports: Bahia, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro. In Rio and Recife, the slaves were from different ethnic groups as well as from enemy tribes, which made it difficult for these slaves to organize a revolt. More slaves in Rio were from Bantu peoples, while in other areas, such as Bahia, slaves came primarily from West Africa.
Because of the hard slavery conditions, Slaves began to run away, Many slaves escaped and made small communities. Inside the small communities, Capoeira began taking shape in its most basic forms. Self-defense techniques were devised and practiced. Slaves who were caught and returned to work in the plantations, taught Capoeira to others there. Sunday was their one day of rest and that was when they practiced Capoeira. But there, in the quarters, the practice soon was altered. Music, singing, dance and ritual were added to Capoeira, disguising the fact that the slaves were practicing a deadly martial art.

In twenty-five years the many European colonies in Brazil suffered eleven rebellions that culminated with the abolition of slavery on May  13, 1888. After the abolition, some ex-slaves returned to Africa, but the majority stayed in Brazil. Since the slaves were no longer needed as a work force, most headed to the cities to form slums and shanty towns. There was no employment in the cities either, and many organized into criminal gangs. Politicians hired others as bodyguards, more fortunate because of their knowledge of Capoeira. The government saw all who knew Capoeira as a "plague."

The Pursuit After Capoeirista
The main activities of these Capoeiristas  (anyone who practices the art) were to disrupt the political life of the country. In the 1890's some very influential people in high levels of society, were practitioners of Capoeira. This was a threat to the government, and the president created a special police force to control the situation. When this effort was ineffective, a rigid penal code was initiated. In the code, ten articles were specifically related to the actions, practices, and crimes related to Capoeira. To enforce these laws, the president hired a man named Sampaio Ferraz, who was reputed to be the most ruthless police chief in Brazil's history. He was determined to extinguish Capoeira. What is interesting about Sampaio was that he was an excellent Capoeirista, and was a terror to the gangs. Sampaio's special police force learned Capoeira, so they were able to challenge their "enemy" on their own ground. Had it not been for the strong resistance by the Capoeiristas, as well as support by influential people, he may have succeeded in his mission.