On July 15th, 2008, Capoeira was officially recognized as a culturally preserved art by the Brazilian government’s Department of Culture. It is a rich and multi-dimensional art that teaches culture, language, music and encompasses a complete body workout.

On this day, the Brazilian Government acknowledged the global popularity with an official recognition of Capoeira.

Capoeira joined an impressive list of cultural items named part of Brazil’s intangible patrimony.

According to newspaper coverage of these events, the Instuto de Patrimonio Historico Artistico Nacional (IPHAN; Institute of National Historic Artistic Patrimony) is presently trying to make reparations for both official and subtle discrimination against capoeira, meaning not only discrimination during the period of prohibition, but also the period during which Capoeira was marginalised within Brazilian society at large.

The motivation for this pronouncement appears in part to have come from the overseas interest in Capoeira, which has helped it gain legitimacy within Brazil. Such developments speak to the complexities of global culture.

Source:

CAPOEIRA by Lauren Miller

Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 2
Ed. Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Svinth – pp. 37 -42