1960 > 1990

According to the writer Liberac, "Manoel Henrique Pereira, commonly referred to as “Besouro de Maganga” was born in the city of Santo Amaro da Purificaçao in 1885; he is the most famous Capoeirista of all time. His name has been engraved in history and in the memory of Capoeiristas from Bahia and of people who train Capoeira in Brazil and across the world ". He adds that "Besouro de Maganga trained Capoeira before the era of Mestre Pastinha and Mestre Bimba". The folklorist Edison Carneiro says that: "The most famous national Capoeirista originated from Santo Amaro, the sugar cane zone of Bahia, and his nickname was Besouro de Mangangá, i.e. a venomous species of a beetle. He was invincible and unequal. Up to today, Capoeira songs depict his legendary prowess: he was the Mestre of Mestres ". ...

Antonio Laurindo Neves was born on 17 September 1894. He is a contemporary of Mestre Bimba and Pastinha, and is one of the biggest names in Capoeira from Bahia. He was originally from the island of Maré (from where he gets his name) at the All Saints’ bay, and he is the one who came up with the expression "Galanteria da capoeira ", in reference to the nobility of Capoeiristas from old Bahia. The write Edison Carneiro unreservedly declares that at the time: "The best Capoeiristas from Bahia were the fisherman Samuel Querido de Deus and the stevedore Maré." In Mestre Noronha’s words, Mestre Maré, Amorzinho, Livinho and himself were the "donos e proprietarios" of the first Capoeira Centre (Gengibirra), located at Ladeira de Pedra, in the area of Liberdade in Salvador. A large number of Capoeiristas came to this centre at the time, such as Onça Preta, Bigode de Seda, Bom nome, Juvenal Engraxate among many others. When Amorzinho passed away, Mestre Pastinha became the head of the centre. In 1968, he was shown immersed in a ginga with mestre Noronha in Jair Moura’s movie: "Dança de guerra", next to Joao Pequeno & Joao Grande Mestre Totonho de Maré died on 18 October 1974....

Daniel Coutinho was born in Salvador de Bahia in 1909, in the lower area of "Sapateiros" (Salvador de Bahia) and began his Capoeira training with Cândido da Costa (Cândido Pequeno) when he was 8 years old. He was affiliated with Livinho, Totonho de Maré, Amorzinho, Aberrê, Percílio, Geraldo Chapeleiro, Juvenal Engraxate, Geraldo Pé de Abelha, Zehí, Feliciano Bigode de Seda, Bom Nome, Henrique Cara Queimada, Onça Preta, Cimento, Argemiro Grande, Olho de Pombo, Antônio Galindeu, Antônio Boca de Porco, Cândido Pequeno (Argolinha de Ouro), Lúcio Pequeno and Paquete do Cabula. He founded the "First Centre of Capoeira Angola in the state of Bahia", Ladeira da Pedra, Gengibirra, in the area of Liberdade. As mentioned by Antonio Liberac: Mestre Noronha and Mestre Livino managed the "Centro de Capoeira Angola da Conceição da Praia". The colours of this centre were green and yellow, the colours of the Brazilian flag, and they were symbolized on the clothes worn by the trainees. They performed various Capoeira exhibitions. He died in 1977 and left behind some manuscripts put together by Frede Abreu which were published by the National Programme of Capoeira, entitled the "ABC da Capoeira Angola". "Capoeira must be well nurtured so that it can be taught to the upper...

João Ramos do Nascimento, or Mestre Traira is one of the least spoken about Mestres (we only hear about him in songs). He was known for having a quick and flexible game comparable to none other than Mestre Pastinha. He was born in 1925 and died in 1975....

Antonio Carlos Moraes, or Mestre Caiçara was born in 1923 and was a Mestre who represented the connection between Capoeira and the streets and criminality. At the time, he was an important personality in the streets of Pelourinho. He possessed urban intelligence, he knew all the criminals, the gangs and the prostitutes of the area and worked with the security team of politicians, among other jobs. He was not only a symbol of streets politics, but also a Mestre of Capoeira whose style was hard and efficient. He claimed to have been part of the band of Lampiao when he was 17 or 18 years old. He died in 1997....

Washington Bruno da Silva, or Mestre Canjiquinha, was an important personality of Capoeira Angola. Born in 1925, he described himself as “the joy of Capoeira” and was known for his tolerance, his good humour and demonstrations. He was also one of the rare Mestres who denied the differences between Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional. According to him, it was just a matter of rhythm. During his demonstrations, he didn’t showcase only Capoeira but also other Afro-Brazilian dances such as Maculélé. He claimed to be the first one who included Maculélé in Capoeira demonstrations. He also acted in a few Brazilian movies presenting Capoeira. His Capoeira name comes from a song by Roberto Martin who, in 1937, was the only song that Washington knew how to sing. Like many others, he died in poverty and left behind talented Mestres like Paulo dos Anjos, Mestre Brasilia and Mestre Lua Rasta. He died in 1994.Mestre Canjiquinha  wrote a book which you can download here:...