Meia lua is widely used in African martial art engolo, the forerunner of capoeira.

The meia lua (crescent) gets its name from the semicircle motion the leg performs when the player executes it.

[5] During the ritual, masked shaman kicked over sacred medicine to activate it and over the kneeling people to heal them.

[3] Meia lua usually aims to bring the foot of the kicking leg across the opponent's face.

[8] Other uses for meia lua can be as a combination with cartwheels and other acrobatic moves, working as an escape.