SENZALA GROUP

The Grupo Senzala da Capoeira started up in the early sixties and grew into its own seeking contact with other Capoeira practitioners to polish the art form. Intensive work was done in rooting out the fundamental aspects with the “old guard” of Capoeira through time spent in Salvador, Bahia.

In 1967, looking to gain experience the group signed up for the "Berimbau de Ouro" tournament. To everyone’s surprise, they won and repeated the feat the next two years, definitively winning the trophy. Along with more maturity, it also gained national respect and acclaim. Later, the group became decentralized and began a strategy of having its members teach in different clubs, academies and universities, meeting for the training of new “masters” or the graduation of students through the different levels.

The Senzala de Capoeira Cultural Center is comprised of Master Peixinho and his students. It is embarked on researching and disseminating Capoeira and related Brazilian cultural manifestations while at the same time acting as a center for the training, guidance and spinning off of professors and recreation organizers who wish to work on all the diverse aspects of Capoeira (fight, dance, art, ...), with a view to propitiating the physical, intellectual, emotional and socio-cultural development of the individuals who practice it.

We believe that the process of educating and building awareness of our people is linked to the issue of rescuing our cultural identity, and therefore our search seeks out the depths of our roots. We also believe that the very essence of Capoeira contains elements that empower individuals to achieve their goals.

Currently, it is expanding throughout Brazil and many countries of Europe and the Americas. Nevertheless, in spite of having had thousands of students in this period, only some ten “masters” have made the grade. These requirements in terms of quality and technical level, dedication and awareness of the historical values of Capoeira have made and maintained the name of "Senzala" as one of the most well known groups in Brazil as well as in the world.

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