Engolo

N'golo (anglicized as Engolo) is a traditional Bantu martial art and game from Angola, that combines elements of combat and dance, performed in a circle accompanied by music and singing. It has been proposed by some researchers as a possible precursor or influence on the development of capoeira, although the extent of this relationship remains debated in the academic literature. Engolo is a traditional combat game associated with communities along the Cunene River in the Cunene Province of Angola. Contemporary descriptions of engolo highlight movements inspired by observations of nature, including the imitation of animal behaviors, such as a zebra's kicking motion or the swaying of trees. The practice includes physical combat elements, and accounts describe the possibility of serious injuries during its performance. The combat style of engolo encompasses a variety of techniques, including different types of kicks, dodges, and takedowns, with a particular emphasis on inverted positions. Some researchers have pointed out similarities between engolo techniques and movements found in capoeira, such as meia lua de compasso, scorpion kick, chapa, chapa de costas, rasteira, L-kick, and others, although the extent and nature of any direct historical connection between these techniques remain debated.¶

The text above is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Engolo”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence.¶

Engolo is Bantu martial art from Angola, according to the structured record cited below. This entry was generated automatically from that record and has not yet been reviewed by a person familiar with the tradition.¹¶

The source record links this tradition to 1 external register, which can be verified through the citation.¹¶