Capoeira in Salvador, Bahia

Mestre Angola and Capoeira Angola

In June 2019 dance students from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, led by Simone Ferro, spent more than three weeks in Brazil. This is the first leg of the trip –Salvador, Bahia, where the dancers took capoeira classes from Mestre Angola in the shadow of the famous church Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.

The classes were conducted in an African-Brazilian house of worship where our hosts also prepared food for us.

Photos by Meredith W. Watts

Igreja Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, “Our Lord of the Good End,” an iconic Catholic church that has long accommodated Afro-Brazilian celebrations
Mestre Angola with carving of an orixá in the spiritual house where he gave classes
Capoeira is accompanied with Berimbau, a musical bow with a gourd resonator of probable African origin. The carved orixa on the wall is an artistic rendering of Oxum, goddess of fresh water.
The lower level of the spiritual house has a fountain whose water is used in ceremonies. It was uncovered in renovation of the house. It is repurposed as a tribute to Oxum.
Mestre Angola with University of Milwaukee – Milwaukee dance students