HISTORY

Introduction | Guerreiro Zumbi | Besouro Mangangá | Mestre Bimba | Mestre Pastinha | Capoeira Angola | Capoeira Regional

MANOEL DOS REIS MACHADO "MESTRE BIMBA"MESTRE BIMBA:

Mestre Bimba made a major contribution to the preservation of the art by opening the first academy for instruction in Capoeira. This was a significant development because it eventually led to the legalization of the art in Brazil, and allowed Capoeira to gain popularity at a time when the art could possibly have died out. A notable example of the influence of Meste Bimba's system of formal instruction took place in 1937, when he was invited to perform with his students at an event at which Getulio Vargas, the president of Brazil at that time, was present. Vargas was so impressed with the discipline and devotion of Mestre Bimba's students he declared Capoeira the national sport of Brazil. Mestre Bimba also had a major impact on the practice and method of instruction of the art, and introduced changes that effect the practice of the art to this day. Because of these changes Mestre Bimba remains a controversial figure. Prior to the legalization of the art, the public associated the art of Capoeira with the poor underclass, criminal activity, and negative stereotypical elements of the afro-brazilian population. In order to alter the image of the art in the eye of the public, Mestre Bimba removed many of the rituals and traditions of the art of capoeira for practice in his academy. Mestre Bimba's capoeira is now called Capoeira Regional, or simply Regional. Mestre Bimba's capoeira continued to gain popularity, but eventually an effort was made to prevent the art from losing its traditions and rituals.