Between the edge of the knife and the scent of the rose: capoeiras and the search for social prestige in Rio de Janeiro (1876-1892)

• Grant number: 23/13187-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of Brazil
• Principal Investigator: Aldair Carlos Rodrigues
• Grantee: Matheus Alves dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The theme of this project is capoeira in the city of Rio de Janeiro during the years 1876 to 1892, using the editions of Revista Illustrada (1876-1898) as primary sources. The objective is to understand the social and political dynamics that permeated disputes for visibility and social prestige in the public space through a series of irreverences and provocations promoted by practitioners of the art of "cabeçada" (a capoeira move). We will analyze the actions of capoeiristas in relation to law enforcement officials and the ambiguous role of journalists as both promoters of the stigmatization of capoeira and promoters of its visibility, constructing the image of capoeiristas as valiant fighters at the same time.