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Before we start off, you as a reader have to realize that the
history of Capoeira is very obscure. It has it's roots in Brazilian slavery
for sure, but how it came to be or from which other artform it came is not clearly
understood. This came to be because of the fact that Capoeirahas it's roots
in slavery. Because slavery means oppression, the facts have not been documented
at all. It was only after the slavery that some stuff was documented. There
are a few facts before that time, 
which can be relied on. So, much of that is theory. After reading quite a few
articles, here is what I found.
In all literature it is said that a place called "Palmeras" has played a very important role in Capoeira evolution. In some articles it is called "Palmeras" and in others "dos Palmeras", What the exact name as remains unknown. It is speculated that it was named as such, because of the palmtrees that grew there.
In the 1500's the Portuguese arrived in Brazil and colonized it.
After failure to subdue the native Brazilian Indians, the colonists send for
slaves from Africa. Thousands, millions even, were gathered in Africa and brought
to Brazil. The salves could roughly be divided into 3 groups.
First there were the Sudanese people from Yoruba and Dahomean origin.
Second were the Guinea-Sudanese people from Malesian and Hausa origin.
And last but not least, the Bantu groups. These had Kongos, Kimbundus and Kasanjas.
These people were mainly from Angola, Congo, Mozambigue. The Bantu group is
believed to be responsible for the birth of Capoeira.
In 1624 and 1654 the Dutch colonized certain cities of Brazil in the Northeast. This led to numerous skirmishes between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The slaves took opportunity of these skirmishes to launch attacks of their own and flee from the plantages. These free slaves founded villages in unknown territory. These villages came to be known as Quilombos. (DOS) Palmeras was one of the firstm, and lasted the longest of all Quilombos. In spite of different expeditions sent to take out this large Quilombo, it stood it's ground for at least fifty years. Some literature cite that it lasted a good century. Aside from (DOS) Palmeras, there were at least ten other major Quilombos.
In 1814, certain laws were officially acknowledged, that forbade
all cultural expression of African culture, including Capoeira. Capoeira and
all other cultural customs were suppressed for several reasons. Capoeira was
specifically forbidden because:
So where was Capoeira born? What was it's origin? It is not know exactly, but there are many theories.
The first, and most widely accepted theory is that Capoeira was disguised as
a cultural dance instead of what it really was, a martial art. This because
the practice of martial arts was forbidden.
But if the fact that all African cultural expressions were prohibited,, then
this theory falls short as to explain why the dances were allowed . But it is
still a very plausible theory.
Another theory states that Capoeira's roots lie in a initiation ritual by the Mucupes in the South of Angola which was performed when a girl had reached womanhood. This ritual included a dance, the N'golo, which stands for dance of the zebras. The theory states that this dance was Capoeira.
Yet another theory calls on the legendary leader of (DOS) Palmeras, Zumbi. He would have been Capoeira's birthfather. Zumbi allegedly introduced Capoeira as a mix of the cultural dances of the different people and cultures in (DOS) Palmeras. This was done to have a way to fight back against the colonists.
After the abolition of slavery in 1888, free slaves now found themselves to
have a very low social-economic status in society, or not to be accepted by
society at all. Most Capoeiristas, with their skill in martial art and self-confidence,
quickly fell into a life of crime as a way to survive. Some were lucky enough
to be hired as bodyguards, but most turned to a life of crime. All Capoeiristas
were seen as criminals and the police were actively pursuing them. To elude
the police, Capoeiristas received two or three nicknames to confuse the police.
This tradition still exists. As new Capoeiristas are accepted into their group,
they get a nickname by which everyone knows them.
Capoeiristas were actively pursued by the police and the art of Capoeira was
completely extinguished in Rio de Janeiro and Recife. The only other place where
Capoeira was still alive, was in Bahia.
Till this day, Bahia is noted as a very important place in various Capoeira
songs.
In the 20th century, there were 2 Capoeiristas who played a very important part in keeping Capoeira alive.
The
first person was Manuel Dos Reis Machado, also known as Mestre Bimba. After
a demonstration for the president, he was allowed to open the first Capoeira
school in Brazil in 1932. He had developed a own style which he called: The
regional fight from Bahia. This style would evolve into Capoeira Regional.
The school was opened in 1932, but wasn't officially recognized until 1937 when
it was technically registered. Capoeira practice as allowed, but only in enclosed
areas registered with the police. Mestre Bimba was active in Capoeira his whole
life. It is said that he was planning to give a demonstration on the day he
died, February 5th 1974.
The other person was Vincente Ferreire Pastinha, also known as Mestre Pastinha.
He opened up his Capoeira Angola school in 1941. He became known as the Philosopher
of Capoeira.
Unfortunately his academy was confiscated, but he was promised a new one by
the government.
They never came through. He died at the age of 92 in 1981.
Capoeira was recognized as a national sport in 1974, and today is the second most popular sport in Brazil, next to soccer.
I feel I also have to note a Capoeirista who still plays a very important role in Capoeira. His name is Suassuna, and as soon as I can dig up some stuff about him, I will post it here.
On a short note: The differences between Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola.
Capoeira Regional is faster and more aggressive than Capoeira Angola. It features a lot of kicks and evasive maneuvers. The object is to try and play your opponent to the ground and outdo his moves with moves of your own. Whatever he does, you do better or you counter the move with a appropriate counter-move of your own. The first one to fall, loses. Most of the time it doesn't get that far. Capoeira is as playful or as serious as you make it. Most of the times you're playing with a friend, so it never gets really serious.
Capoeira Angola is a bit slower then Capoeira Regional. It involves a lot of floorwork. The object of the game is to try and hit your opponent in the face. Not actually hit him/her, but demonstrate that if you wanted to you could. Your opponent, and yourself offcourse, are constantly protecting their face, so as not to lose.
In neither style do you actually hit your opponent. You just demonstrate your abilities, to show what you are capable off. Kicks fly inches off your face while both capoeiristas keep moving within a circle know as the Roda.
Credit must be given where credit is due. So these are the websites which quenched my thirst for knowledge of Capoeira history
Capoeira
of San Jose
ABADA
Capoeira Santa Cruz
BYU Brazilian Capoeira
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