Navalha
Literally: razor
Also known as: naifa, nafe, sardinha
A folding straight razor, the most common weapon among capoeiristas in 19th-century Brazilian cities and a symbol of street capoeiragem; today only a few masters still teach it.
Quick Facts
BrazilAbout the weapon
Navalha is the Portuguese word for a razor or folding knife. Capoeiristas carried it alongside stones, sticks and clubs in the street fights of Brazilian cities until the mid-20th century; according to historian Líban Soares, in the 19th century it became the greatest symbol of capoeiragem. According to Pedro Abib, it was brought to Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese; others point to Africa, since Africans there practiced barber-surgery. We have not found a more detailed description of its construction in the sources. It was also called naifa, nafe or sardinha. A silk scarf worn around the neck was meant to protect against the blade, which would slide off it. It was the most common weapon of capoeiristas, also used for assassinations. A capoeirista could grip the razor between the toes, leaving the feet as the main weapon. Famous men of the razor included Manduca da Praia and Madame Satã in Rio, and Nascimento Grande in Pernambuco. With sport capoeira aimed at the entertainment market, the razor receded and the berimbau became its symbol. Roberto Pereira names São Luís in the state of Maranhão as one of the great strongholds of the navalha in Brazil; there it is taught by mestre Kaká Serafim and contramestre Jorcelso Sousa.