Biggest Capoeira Groups Worldwide 5331

Biggest Capoeira Groups Worldwide

We find many individuals across the world practicing capoeira, not only in parks and studios but also in universities and professional institutions. Capoeira is the result of the phenomenon of people migrating to new lands, so it is no wonder that it is a worldwide phenomenon.

Here are some of the Capoeira groups who have made global connections and are very popular around the globe.

Senzala

Senzala is what the slave houses for plantations and farms in Brazil were called in the 16th to 19th centuries. It was from the Senzalas that much of Brazilian culture developed. The group was founded in Rio de Janeiro, and is probably the most famous Capoeira group in the world thanks to its many masters and other teachers of Capoeira. It was first introduced to Great Britain in 1971 by Nestor Capoeira, although it did not flourish until 1989, with the arrival of Fernando C.C. Albuquerque (Mestre Gato).

Senzala began in 1963 in Rio de Janeiro. Three brothers: Paulo, Rafael and Gilberto Flores, originally from Bahia (homeland of Capoeira) had moved to Rio de Janeiro. During their school vacations back in Salvador, Bahia they began to study Capoeira. They trained with two of the most famous masters that ever lived, Master Bimba and Master Pastinha. Capoeira had become such an important part of their lives that they began to train on a regular basis. Paulo got in touch with other capoeira teachers in Rio de Janeiro and started to lead weekly training sessions in the terrace of their apartment building located at Laranjeiras neighbourhood, in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The group has expanded throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Europe and Asia, covering places such as Basque Country, Indonesia and Iran.

The Senzala Association organises the International Festival of Capoeira and Brazilian culture in France, Montpellier with the support of the General Council of Hérault and the City of Montpellier.

Cordão de Ouro

Cordão de Ouro means “The Belt of Gold”, it was founded in 1966 by Reinaldo Ramos Suassuna (Mestre Suassuna) and the group is an important name in the world of Capoeira. Mestre Suassuna went to São Paulo, Brazil in 1965 with a mission to spread Capoeira as a folklore and sport. He was the founder of the first group of Capoeira in São Paulo, Brazil. In the beginning he had many difficulties due to the existing prejudices against Capoeira. The situation got better after it received approval and support from Brazil’s state government.

Today the group has numerous branches in Brazil and abroad, the Cordão de Ouro Capoeira group has an important role among all groups of Capoeira, not only by what Mestre Suassuna represents to this sport and culture, but also for the work and effort from him, his students and supporters.

Grupo Axé Capoeira

Grupo Axé Capoeira was founded by Mestre Barrão in Recife, Brazil in 1982 with it's headquarters in Vancouver, Canada.

The Group travels around the world and participates in competitions and has participated in the 2001 International Capoeira Competition in Argentina. Grupo Axé Capoeira is renowned as a traveling group which promotes the history, music, art, and culture of Brazil in interactive and educational demonstrations.

Grupo Axé Capoeira has expanded across the globe to become a worldwide leader in Capoeira instruction, music, and more. They currently have academies across Canada, United States, Europe, Asia and South America with more than 10,000 students.

Grupo Axé Capoeira performs at a variety of different events from small private functions to major corporate galas. The performances range from 5 minutes to 45+ minutes in length.

Grupo Muzenza

Grupo Muzenza de Capoeira was founded on the 5th of May 1972 by Paulo Sérgio da Silva (Mestre Paulão), who came from Mestre Mintirinha’s (Luís Américo da Silva) group Capoarte de Obaluaê. In October 1975, Mestre Burgues arrived at Curitiba - Paraná. Having taught in the neighbourhoods of Méier and Madureira in Rio de Janeiro, Mestre Burgues decided to create a new branch of Grupo Muzenza in the south of Brazil, establishing and developing a methodology and philosophy of his own, he turned to the roots of capoeira and began by teaching amongst economically disadvantaged communities in clubs, schools and academies. Grupo Muzenza has been presided over by Mestre Burgues since 1975.

Grupo Muzenza trains both in both Angola and Regional styles and has had more than 20,000 students pass through the Muzenza Group in Curitiba, and today the Group has academies in 26 Brazilian states and 47 countries.

The 10th European Championship of the Muzenza Group will take place on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of November 2020 in Albufeira, Portugal.

Associação Brasileira de Apoio e Desenvolvimento da Arte-Capoeira (ABADÁ-Capoeira)

ABADÁ-Capoeira was founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mestre Camisa’s vision for ABADÁ-Capoeira is to be an organisation that moves forward while keeping one foot in the past, maintaining tradition yet adapting to society’s changes.

The original style of ABADÁ-Capoeira incorporates both of the historical branches of capoeira, capoeira regional and capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernising innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art.

ABADÁ-Capoeira is one of the largest capoeira organisations in the world with academies in over 60 countries, with around 70 thousand members.

The Jogos Mundiais of ABADA-Capoeira is an international competition which encounters capoeiristas from around the World, over 30 countries are represented, with hundreds of competitors and a full week of master workshops attended by students from all continents.

Capoeira Brasil

Capoeira Brasil was founded on January 14, 1989 in Rio de Janeiro by Capoeira Mestres Boneco, Paulão Ceará and Paulinho Sabiá. All three Mestres had trained under Grupo Senzala, one of the most influencing capoeira groups and pioneers of Capoeira Contemporânea during the late 1960s and 70s.

Capoeira Brasil practices a style of Capoeira known as Capoeira Contemporânea (Contemporary Capoeira). This diverse and dynamic style is derived from the movements and methodology developed by the legendary Mestre Bimba as well as the traditional teachings of Capoeira Angola.

Capoeira Brasil is an international cultural organisation, recognised as one of the largest Capoeira groups in the world with schools in over 40 countries.

Professor Congo of Capoeira Brasil will be hosting Jogando No Horizonte 2020 in Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean in October 2020.