I know that the invention of Capoeira is attributed to 16th century Brazilian slaves often originating from southeast Africa (modern-day Angola), and that its current form is probably quite different than its origins. I'm wondering how prevelant the martial art was both in recreation and in actual attempts. I know the data for this is likely fairly sporadic or nonexistent but is there perhaps any anecdotal evidence of any attempts, successful or otherwise?
There's a term that's used to described groups of people that escaped slavery and created autonomous communities in remote areas. They're called "maroons" I'm pretty sure there's an etymological connection to the word "moron". Ending up stranded somewhere is often called being "marooned".
Point being, there's obviously some people that had to have escaped. I would venture to say that the physical exercise and confidence from practicing it would have helped them with the physical challenge of getting free and creating distance, then figuring out how to survive in the wilderness. If you ask me that last part is a pretty important deal breaker. Kicking a guy is one thing, running in your underwear into the woods never to return and not dying within a week is quite a bit more intense. Being conditioned to handle the physical toll of establishing means of supporting yourself from diddly jack squat would have been a life or death matter.