Brazil's capoeira gains UN cultural heritage status
26 November 2014 Last updated at 15:41 ET
Brazil's capoeira gains UN cultural heritage status
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Capoeira dancers on a beach in Brazil The movements of capoeira require great bodily dexterity
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Capoeira - a Brazilian martial art form combining dance - has been given a special protected status by Unesco, the UN's cultural arm.
A Unesco representative said defining capoeira as "intangible cultural heritage" would help Brazil preserve the tradition.
Capoeira was originally created by African slaves to keep their fighting skills alive, disguising it a dance.
It is performed by two players who dance on their hands and feet.
A combination of martial art, dance and sport, capoeira is performed to percussion and chanting.
It requires great physical strength and flexibility and is regarded as being of immense acrobatic beauty.
More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-30219941