Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art that combines elements of self-defense, music, dance and acrobatics. The word "Capoeira" has many meanings. One of them means "bushes," loosely translated. It has its roots in the slavery days of Brazil. African people brought to Brazil to work were kept in slave camps called "Senzalas." Sometimes slaves were able to escape the Senzalas and reach the "Quilombos," which were communities of rescued/escaped slaves located in the heavily forested landscape of Brazil. in the Quilombos the first manifestations of Capoeira were born. It is said that the slaves developed the unique footwork characteristic of Capoeira as a result of being shackled. When the Quilombos would attack the Senzalas in an attempt to free slaves, some of the attackers would fall back into captivity on purpose, just to be able to teach the others the forbidden art that would allow them to fight for their freedom. Over 400 years later, Capoeira has spread around the world. It is enjoyed by by millions of practitioners that see it either as a way of life or as a hobby.
Omulu Capoeira Guanabara Partnership
The Omulu Capoeira Guanabara group is an international partnership that has two headquarters. One is based in the United States, in San Francisco (California), directed by Mestre Preguiça, a student of the famed Mestre Bimba. The other headquarters is based in Stockholm (Sweden), led by Mestre Di Mola. The two function as one, and provide one of the world's 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 and education program.
Mestre Preguiça
Wandenkolk Manoel De Oliveira, known around the world as Mestre Preguiça, studied under the legendary Mestre Bimba in Bahia, Brazil, from whom he 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 at the tournament, to everyone's surprise, the Senzala team, featuring Gato and Preguiça won, and did so again the following year.
On their third attempt the Capoeira Association prevented Gato and Preguiça from entering, claiming that only students were allowed to participate... 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 being recognised as master grades..!
As 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, featured Mosquito (means the same in English) and Boracha (rubber), which won; third year in succession, definitely capturing the trophy. News of this spread throughout the Brazilian Capoeira community. Many people traveled to see, train and try out this new group of capoeiristas, and the Senzala style of Capoeira became the predominant style all over Brazil.
In the 20 years he spent in Rio, Mestre Preguiça graduated 10 Mestres. After touring 23 countries with a 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 Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, besides the numerous academies throughout the state of California.
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 the year of 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, and to absorb the roots and the culture. He has been to most countries in Europe, all over Brazil and USA and in Asia to spread and teach Capoeira. Today he lives in Sweden with his family, where he is growing a strong group of capoeiristas.More information can be found at omulu.org.