History of the Malês
Group Capoeira Malês was founded by Mestre Curisco and Contra Mestre Lua Branca with the mission of disseminating our culture both within and outside Brazil and teaching our students better techniques. This will develop qualified professionals committed to the preservation and values of capoeira as an art, and create educators attuned to the needs and reality of their people, as well as students who are able to contribute to the growth of our community. In addition, we also welcome those who come our way just looking to socialize or for some physical education so they can fulfill their expectations and take away knowledge and respect for capoeira and our culture.
Malê was a term used in the 18th and 19th centuries to refer to a portion of western African slaves who were generally Muslim and educated. Urban society in Salvador, Bahia at that time was made up of African slaves, Brazilian born African slaves, freed slaves and slave owners. This complex mix of society made it easy to disseminate information throughout the city and plan a slave revolt.
In 1835 the Malês of Bahia organized and led perhaps the most significant slave revolt in Brazil's history. Although this revolt was quelled and the organizers sentenced to death, the captured Africans spoke openly at their trials about the suffering and mistreatment they had endured. As a result of the revolt many laws were made to ensure that the government would not face another uprising until the reality of the injustice of slavery was realized and abolished in 1888.
Because of the intelligence, cunning and courage it took these enslaved Africans to plan and undertake a revolt of this nature, Malês is a strong word that any Brazilian can be proud of. As capoeiristas we learn to employ many of these traits into our game, practice and life, so we are called GRUPO CAPOEIRA MALÊS.
For a complete resource on the Malês revolt see:
Slave Rebellion in Brazil by Joäo José Reis