History and Culture
Capoeira, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil
The Capoeira Master’s Occupation and the Capoeira Circle are cultural assets registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil. Capoeira emphasizes fluid movements rather than fixed postures. The ginga, a body sway, is usually the focal point of the technique. Manoel dos Reis Machado, also known as Mestre Bimba, was the creator of the Bahian Regional Fight, later called Capoeira Regional.
The Mestre Bimba Foundation (FUMEB) aims to preserve and disseminate Mestre Bimba’s work and its Afro-Brazilian cultural legacy through events and related activities in the field of capoeira. It conducts seminars, courses, publications, exhibitions, as well as research and cultural exchange activities. FUMEB develops courses and preservation activities destined to the manufacture of musical instruments related to capoeira and other Afro-Brazilian manifestations.
The Foundation was conceived by Mestre Bimba’s several disciples and admirers, under Mestre Nenel’s leadership in 1993, and recognized as Municipal and State Public Utility. It’s a non-profit institution, made official on November 30, 1994.
The circles take place every Saturday at 11am at the headquarters. Classes are from Monday to Thursday, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The circles and classes are led by Master Nenel himself and anyone is welcome: capoeiristas and not capoeiristas, locals and visitors.
The Foundation also facilitates the study of Mestre Bimba ‘s pedagogical principles and encourages the implementation of Nuclei for the practice and teaching of Regional Capoeira, also collaborating with many cultural and sports entities.
Other activities
The Capoerê
This social project was created by Frede Abreu and developed by Filhos de Bimba School of Capoeira in the early 90’s. More than 8,000 children have already been attended by Capoerê.
The cultural show
The cultural show is one of FUMEB’s activities that foster the practice of other Afro-Brazilian manifestations, such as Puxada de Rede, Maculelê and Samba de Roda. The cultural show, as artistic axis of FUMEB, has already been presented in various contexts in Brazil and abroad.
Virtual Exhibition
The Foundation website has an excellent virtual exhibition, result of the project “Memória e formação: organização e difusão de um acervo da capoeira na Fundação Mestre Bimba” (Memory and training: organization and dissemination of a capoeira collection at the Mestre Bimba Foundation).
There is a digital collection of historical photos and objects, reports, distinctions linked to the master, such as the famous berimbau of Mestre Bimba of the 1960s; reports that, in their originals, cover historical events linked to the memory of capoeira in Bahia; historical photos that illustrate meetings, methodologies and events related to the Foundation and the master; distinctions such as the Thomé de Souza Medal, the Doctor Honoris Causa diploma, issued by UFBA among others.
Service
Mestre Bimba Foundation (FUMEB)
Rua Maciel de Baixo, 51, Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. CEP 40.026-240.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Classes from Monday to Thursday, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Saturdays, circles from 11:00 am to noon. The value of the single class is R$ 30.00.
Phone: 71 3322 5082.
E-mail: fundacaomestrebimbafmb@gmail.com Website: http://www.fundacaomestrebimba.org/
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