### Title: The Forgotten Art of Fist Fighting in Capoeira: A Historical Exploration **Word Count:** 600 **Reading Time:** 3-4 minutes
### Title: The Forgotten Art of Fist Fighting in Capoeira: A Historical Exploration **Word Count:** 600 **Reading Time:** 3-4 minutes --- The art of fist fighting, or **Lisana ya Maboko** in Lingala and **Mchezo wa Mikono** in Swahili, was an integral part of the combat practices in Capoeira's early history. Raphael Bluteau, in 1712, misnamed this intricate and diverse martial art from Kongo as "Capoeira." Originally, Capoeira encompassed a wide range of fighting techniques, including open-hand strikes, headbutts, elbows, knees, sweeps, grappling, weapon use, and unique footwork, all of which were functional for combat. This comprehensive approach to combat was a hallmark of the Kipura techniques from Kongo. ### Historical Context and Migration Capoeira's roots can be traced back to the African continent, particularly Alkebulan and Kongo, where diverse martial arts were practiced. When enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the New World, they carried these fi