Capoeira

Capoeira is an afro-brazilian culture which conlains martial arts, acrobatics, dance and music. It was developed by the African slaves in Brazil. To stop a rebellion, the slave owners tried to mix the slaves from various African cultures. The difference in culture and language hindered the slaves from growing into a strong community. Capoeira was developed from all these mixtures of cultures and it was for the hunt for freedom that the slaves developed Capoeira.

Benefits of Capoeira

Through the intensive training, one who practices capoeira earns physical and emotional strength and harmony, mental training, will power, positive energy and respect for others. Aside from the physical training, one also learns aspects of the Portugese language from traditional Capoeira songs as well as the history and traditions of Capoeira.

Omulu Guanabara Capoeira

The Omulu-Guanabara Capoeira group is an international partnership between Omulu Capoeira Group located in San Francisco, CA and Guanabara Capoeira located in Stockholm, Sweden. Omulu Capoeira, directed by Mestre Preguiça and Guanabara Capoeira, led by Mestre DiMola, work together as one, and provide one of the worlds largest networks of affiliated schools, with branches in Brazil, U.S.A, Sweden, Venezuela, Mexico, Japan and Canada. The mission of Omulu Guanabara Capoeira is to promote the art of Capoeira around the globe through development of a high-quality training academy, a professional performance group, and a community culture and education program.

Mestre Preguiça

Waldenkolk Manoel De Oliveira, known around the world as Mestre Preguiça studied under the legendary Mestre Bimba in Bahia, Brazil, and graduated in 1963. Two years later, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and along with Rafael Flores Viana and Fernando Cavalcante Albuquerque (Mestre Gato), founded Grupo Senzala. In the late 60's there were very few competitions open to capoeiristas. The premier of these being the Berimbau de Ouro (Golden Berimbau). With the help of other capoeiristas, the group was able to enter the competition. On their first attempt, to everyone's surprise, the Senzala team featuring Preguiça and Gato won, and did so again the following year.

On their third attempt, the Capoeira Association prevented Gata and Preguiça from entering, claiming that only students were allowed to participate and not masters. Gato and Preguiça protested that they were not masters, only students. The Capoeira Association then responded saying that due to their record over the past two years they were bing recognized as Masters.

Since Gato and Preguiça were unable to enter the Berimbau de Ouro, they began to train another team from Grupo Senzala to enter the tournament. This new team under the technical direction of Mestre Preguiça and featuring Mosquito and Borracha won the trophy for Senzala a third year in succession. News of this spread throughout the Brazilian Capoeira community. Many people travelled to see, train and try out this new group of capoeiristas, and the Senzala style of Capoeira soon became the predominant style all over Brazil.

In the 20 years that he spent in Rio, Mestre Preguiça graduated 10 Mestres. After touring 23 countries with the Brazilian Dance Company and recieving degrees in physical education in Brazil and Europe, Mestre Preguiça came to the San Francisco Bay Area to expand the art in the United States. In 1986, he founded Omulu Capoeira Group of San Francisco. Mestre Preguiça's work and dedication has now spread throughout the U.S. with branches in Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, Torrence, Santa Monica, Chicago, Madison, New York, Massachusetts, and Minneapolis.

Mestre Di Mola

Mestre Di Mola has devoted his life to Capoeira for 30 years. His work is highly respected and his name is well known in the world of Capoeira. In 1998, Mestre Di Mola founded Capoeira Guanabara in Brazil. He felt that he wanted to develop capoeira even further. To improve the quality and mentality of the capoeiristas, to absorb the roots and the culture. He has been to most countries in Europe, all over Brazil, the USA and in Asia to spread and teach Capoeira. Today he lives in Sweden with his family where he is trying to grow a strong group.