Probably, the very first thoughts you have when you think of Brazil are (1): soccer, samba, Carnaval and beaches. Yes, these things are very usual/customary (2)(common) in Brazil, even though I don't appreciate neither (3) of them very much. But today I will write about Capoeira, the (4) typical Brazilian (5) sport, that also can be a dance or a matial art.

Capoeira had been developed by African (5) slaves during the slavery period, from 1530 to 1888, in Brazil*. They needed a way to protect themselves without looking like they were fighting, because it would/could raise suspicions of (6) their "owners", and therefore, they would be punished.

The slaves had started to observe the movements of certain animals, e.g. snakes, and then, they decided to incorporate them (7) into their "dances". In order to camouflage their skill (?)*they were preparing a new kind of fighting. The music was an essential part of a fraud for anyone watching them (8). So, they had built a variety of instruments we still using nowadays. The main one is called "berimbau" and it has only one string, but I can assure you that is not so easy to play it. "Berimbaus" use to be very heavy for carrying (9) them, because you can use only your little finger, the other fingers are busy (actually) playing it (10). But let's move back to the history!

But why had the slaves created all this stuff? Well, we should remember that they had got nothing, neither some weapons. The only thing they could use was their own bodies.
Capoeira was prohibited during many years in Brazil. It was considered a sport for wrongdoers. People who were caught playing it, would be (11) very likely (12) arrested. But fortunately, now it's considered as (13) a part of Brazilian history and the (14) national patrimony.

In the next year, it will be sex years as I have been training capoeira. I can't even say how much I love doing it and how much it has (15) been helping me to develop myself in so many areas of my life. When you're in a "capoeira circle", you need to be close to the person you're fighting against. You have to be aware of all the movements of your adversary and of your body's extension. You both have to be synchronized, otherwise the fight itself will not (15) flow. And you also have to trust in yourself to be able to performance it well.

Capoeira is such a beautiful sport and I feel I was given an opportunity to have it not only as part of the history of my country, but now as part of my own life.

CORRECTET BY NON NATIVE SPEAKER

Do you know what Capoeira is?

Probably, the very first thoughts you have when you think of Brazil is: soccer, samba, Carnaval and beaches. Yes, these things are very common in Brazil, even though I don't appreciate any of them very much. But today I will write about Capoeira, a typical brazilian sport that also can be a dance or a matial art.

Capoeira was developed by african slaves during the slavery period, (from 1530 to 1888, in Brazil). They needed a way to protect themselves without looking like they were fighting, because it would raise suspicions for their "owners", and therefore, they would be punished.

The slaves had started to observe the movements of certain animals, e.g. snakes, and then, they decided to incorporate it into their "dances". In order to camouflage they were preparing a new kind of fighting, the music was an essential part to deceive whoever was watching them. So, they had built a variety of instruments we still using nowadays. The main one is called "berimbau" and it has only one rope, but I can assure you is not that easy to play it. "Berimbaus" are usually very heavy and to carry them, you have to use only your little finger, because your other fingers will be busy actually playing it. But let's move back to the history!

But why did the slaves create all this stuff? Well, we should remember that they had got nothing, neither weapons. The only thing they could use was their own bodies.
Capoeira was prohibited during many years in Brazil. It was considered a sport for wrongdoers. People who were caught playing it, were very likely to be arrested. But luckily, now it's considered part of Brazil's history and a national patrimony.

Next year, I'll have been training capoeira for 6 years. I can't even say how much I love doing it and how much it's been helping me to develop myself in so many areas of my life. When you're in a "capoeira circle", you need to be close to the person you're fighting against. You have to be aware of all the movements of your adversary and of your body's extension. You both have to be synchronized, otherwise the fight itself won't flow. And you also have to trust in yourself to be able to performance it well.

Capoeira is such a beautiful sport and I feel I was given a opportunity to have it not only as part of the history of my country, but now as part of my own life.