A historical narrative of capoeira in the Northern Minas Gerais scenario: a cultural practice in Montes Claros/MG

Abstract

This article is about the historical development of the practice of capoeira in the city of Montes Claros, located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. Thus, its first indications are approached, as well as its contribution to the Northern Minas Gerais cultural formation. The aim of this study was to identify a historical process of the practice of capoeira in Montes Claros, since its emergence to the present day. Documentary research was carried out on documented and printed sources, such as local newspapers that publicized several events related to capoeira, as well as printed documents provided by some capoeira groups, describing their history, and the projects that they develop. These sources were submitted to documentary analysis. The first signs of capoeira in Montes Claros date from the end of 1958. Capoeira had several local newspapers as important collaborators to give the deserved importance to this fight-art, approaching several events about the practice in the region and making possible its gain of space next to the socio-cultural northern Minas Gerais scenario. The groups and admirers of this practice, thus, began to carry out various events for the Montes Claros society. With its expansion, its practitioners realized the need to create a group that aimed to further extend this cultural practice in the city, creating, in 2013, the Montes-Clarense League of Capoeira. With the development that capoeira was taking, several groups were emerging and renowned masters moved to Montes Claros. Evidence of the emergence and expansion of capoeira in Montes Claros was identified, as well as how this cultural practice developed over the years not only in the city, but also in the northern region, contributing to the regional cultural formation. They have also revealed important contributors who have made and continue to make capoeira develop and be valued.