HISTORY

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

MESTRE PASTINHAMESTRE PASTINHA:

In 1942, Mestre Pastinha opened the first formal academy for instruction in the traditional form of the art, known as Capoeira Angola. Mestre Pastinha's efforts prevented Capoeira Angola from being lost as newer, modernized forms of the art gained popularity. This era was a milestone of dramatic change in the mode of instruction of the art of Capoeira. Previously, Capoeira was passed on in secret, usually from a relative such as one's father or uncle, or in a small group setting where several young people in a particular community would receive guidance from elder practitioners from that community. During this era, the academy system became the predominant form of participation in the art. Presently, there are capoeira academies on almost every continent of the world. Another significant change that occurred due to the proliferation of capoeira 'schools' is the participation of middle and upper class members of the population. Presently, some Mestres participate in seminars where they discuss the need to make the art available to poor blacks who can not afford the cost of training in an academy. This is an issue of concern to practitioners who recognize the importance of making the art available to people who come from the culture that invented the art in the first place.