ABOUT

Mestre Bomba

Mestre Bomba was born in Bahia, Brazil, and has practiced capoeira since 1980.  He became interested in capoeira at the age of ten after he saw his father, a well-known capoeirista, fighting in a roda.

Because his mother prohibited him from practicing capoeira, which at the time was seen as an outlaw fringe activity, and his father also did not want him to play capoeira, Mestre Bomba initially trained in secret under Mestre Buguelo of Grupo Cativeiro in Bahia in 1980.

He later moved to Grupo Esquiva where he trained under Mestre Coentro, and in 1985 started training with his current Mestre, Mestre Benivaldo, who founded Capoeira Barro Vermelho in 1993.  Bomba attained the rank of Professor, was later promoted to Contra Mestre, and in May 2014 attained the highest rank of Mestre.

Prior to his 2008 arrival in Washington, D.C., Mestre Bomba taught capoeira in Bahia, Brazil for seventeen years to both Brazilians and non-Brazilians.

In addition to teaching adults, he was actively involved in his community teaching capoeira to young children. In Brazil he has worked with Projeto Axé and Projeto IBG and most recently trained youth at the community organization, Clube Amazonas.

Since 2008, he has been teaching capoeira classes and workshops throughout Washington, D.C., New York City, and other cities in the Northeast for both adults and children.

Capoeira Barro Vermelho USA was founded in January 2010 in Washington, DC by Mestre Bomba, and was officially recognized as a U.S, tax-exempt organization in February 2018. In June 2019 Capoeira Barro Vermelho USA opened its first official headquarters in Washington, DC as the Brazilian-American Cultural Center, located at 3001 Sherman Avenue, NW.

If you would like Mestre Bomba to teach a workshop for your group, inquire about private lessons, or simply ask a highly experienced practitioner your questions about capoeira, please contact him here or email bombabahia@gmail.com.

ABOUT

Mestre Benivaldo

Benivaldo Possidonio, known as Mestre Benivaldo, was born in 1966 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He started capoeira in 1977, at the age of 11 years old as a result of his efforts to find a way to defend himself in the streets of Salvador. A friend took him to the Faculdade de Medicina in Salvador where he met Mestre Dedé who taught him the art of capoeira. In 1981 he received his first cord and began to teach classes for Mestre Dedé’s Grupo Kilombolas. In 1985 his capoeira evolved as he initiated a project in the community of Garcia in Salvador, and in 1990 he took over the space Mestre Dedé left at the Faculdade de Medicina. In 1993 Mestre Benivaldo founded Capoeira Barro Vermelho, where he was responsible for the formation of a new generation of capoeiristas in Salvador. In 1998 he received the last cord of Mestre from the hands of Mestre Dedé himself. In2002 Capoeira Barro Vermelho became a part of the leadership of the Liga Baiana de Capoeira (Bahian League of Capoeira). Currently Mestre Benivaldo oversees classes in Spain and the Canary Islands, and Norway, and also participates in various capoeira events worldwide.

About Capoeira Barro Vermelho

History of Capoeira Barro Vermelho

Capoeira Barro Vermelho USA

Capoeira Barro Vermelho was recently featured on the WHUT TV’s ARTICO: https://www.whut.org/articotv

Capoeira Barro Vermelho USA was founded in January 2010 in Washington, DC by Mestre Bomba. Capoeira Barro Vermelho USA’s mission is to educate, promote, and inspire cultural enrichment through the art of capoeira, a mix of Brazilian culture, music, and martial arts.  The organization achieves its mission by providing capoeira and music classes, community programming, international cultural exchanges, workshops, and performances. The organization was officially recognized as a U.S, tax-exempt organization in February 2018. In May 2018, Capoeira Barro Vermelho celebrated 25 years with an international event in the Canary Islands, Spain. Click here for photos.

Cord System

Barro Vermelho Cord System – Adults

As is the case with most martial arts, capoeiristas are required to wear a uniform, which consists of white pants, or abada, and a t-shirt, typically white with the capoeira academy’s logo.  The pants are secured by a cordão, or belt, which is a specific color based on the capoeirista’s level of experience.  The beginning student receives a green cordão and receives subsequent belts after demonstrating her/his skills at an annual batizado and troca de graduações (graduation).

Students of Barro Vermelho follow the Brazilian tradition of making their own cords, rather than buying and dying them.  It is tedious, fun and festive work and helps build community with the group!