Welcome to Capoeira in New Orleans!

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that is not comparable to any of the more traditional martial arts.  It is a combination of martial arts, dance, music and culture.  Today, the migration of this art form has taken flight and can be found in many countries outside of Brazil - especially here in the United States.  It is possible to find a Capoeira school in almost every state in the nation.  Anyone can practice this amazing martial art.

Start practicing Capoeira in New Orleans!

Grupo Maculele offers high quality Capoeira lessons in Uptown New Orleans.  We offer class for kids and adults.  Click here for more info on how to get started.

Where did Capoeira come from?

Capoeira was created in the 1600s out of a necessity of liberty and freedom.  The African men and women brought to Brazil by Portuguese colonists were enslaved and forced to work day and night much like the slaves in the United States.  The slaves in Brazil decided to create a method of self-defense which they disguised as a dance to fool their captors.  They added music, singing and clapping to further the disguise.  The slaves overwhelmed the colonists with their kicks, sweeps and hand to hand combat and were successful in gaining their freedom.  Today we continue the tradition practicing all aspects of Capoeira - All over the world, people train, play and sing as a form of self-expression.  For more information on the history of Capoeira, click here.