Capoeiras and tough guys in São Paulo history (1830 - 1930)

Abstract

Until mid-twentieth century, capoeira had its potential as a record of deeds and wills of enslaved Africans and their descendants ignored by historical study. Based on specific studies about this practice, the historiography advanced significantly. First, more focused at two states known as poles of modem capoeira: Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. After that, new studies have been showing the practice in other areas such as Pernambuco, Pará and Maranhão. São Paulo was scenario of a vigorous slavery that advanced throughout the nineteenth century and explored thousands of souls. Researches on the lives of slaves at São Paulo territory in this period have shown, albeit loosely, that capoeira was present in the everyday life of cities in urbanization processor aiming to better understand how this activity is embedded in the cogs of São Paulo society throughout the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth century, we developed a study on this martial art in the capital and other cities, through analysis of sources of diverse natures reminiscences, newspapers, laws, prisoners record books, documents of the judiciary, such as criminal cases as well as letters and telegrams of authorities. More broadly, we expect that this research contribute to discussions about the formation process in Brazil of the capoeira, an afro-Brazilian martial art now practiced worldwide. (AU)