History of Angoleiros do Mar

Itaparica Island

“Itaparica” is an indigenous Tupi name meaning “Fence made of rocks”. The island is located 17 km from Salvador, capital city of the state of Bahia. It is the largest of the 56 islands that form the Bay of All Saints.

The island has more than 40 km of beaches with lush tropical vegetation and exuberant coconut palms dominating the region. Itaparica lies directly opposite the city of Salvador, separated only by the Bay of All Saints.

Itaparica has a particularly eventful recorded history, commencing at practically the same time as that of Brazil: Jesuit missionaries infamous for cannibalism; Dutch invasions; whale hunting on an industrial scale; the introduction of African religions introduced during the period of slavery; participation in Paraguay”s wars of independence (through the provision of troops); ‘Parapatings’, the biggest slavery hacienda on the island; Catarina Paraguay, the beautiful indigenous girl who enchanted the Portuguese.

History

The Centro Cultural de Capoeira Angoleiros do Mar was founded on 5th March 1999, at Barra Grande a fishing town situated on Itaparica Island, Bahia, Brazil. This is still the home of the group. The island of Itaparica is settled within the Bay of All Saints, the cradle of the Brazilian civilization, where successive generations of capoeiristas maintain the roots and traditions of Capoeira Angola, whilst influencing its history, philosophy and artistic movements.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Angoleiros do Mar encompasses responsibility for the development of our own work at different levels, looking to elevate and develop the technical and theoretical capabilities of the capoeirista (player of the art). We use Capoeira as a valuable pedagogic, artistic and cultural resource, looking to deepen the development of the capoeirista, and re-establish an understanding of the value of the Mestre as a producer and transmitter of Brazilian culture and experience.

Eu sou Angoleiros…

For Angoleiros do Mar, Capoeira Angola is an expression of life and of freedom, and must therefore be practiced with respect and attention. Today, Angoleiros do Mar at Itaparica attracts diverse practitioners of the Capoeira communities in Brazil and abroad, with the purpose of exchanging knowledge, studies and culture. Besides being a school promoting the formation and development of angola capoeiristas we are a centre of studies in a constant research of Capoeira.