Capoeira Luanda

Capoeira Luanda was born from the union of capoeiristas from different times and experiences, with the effective participation of all professors, instructors and graduates of Mestre Jelon. Capoeira Luanda was founded on April 6th, 2007, after a long process of research and study under the direction and guidance of Mestre Jelon.

Capoeira Luanda’s objective is to bring a different purpose into the Capoeira world. Our philosophy promotes a democratic way that would allow all the participants to have the autonomy to participate in the evolutionary process of Capoeira Luanda.

The root of the name Luanda is a homage to my mestre Eziquiel Martins, who founded the Grupo Luanda de Capoeira in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 1963. Another inspiration behind the name Luanda was meaning of the word Luanda in Yoruba language which means “the junction of the moon and the earth” and “Peace and imaginary land” in the dialect Bantu. Luanda is the capital of Angola and was one of the most important ports during the slave trade when Africans were taken to the Americas as chattel. Luanda was one of the cities in West Africa where Africans said the last good bye for those who never returned. It was the Africans from the slave trade that contributed to the richness of the African Culture in Brazil.

Capoeira Luanda is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in order to spread and promote the art of Capoeira and all aspects of the Afro-Brazilian Culture throughout the world. It also contributes to the development of the consciousness of children and adolescents, by contributing to their psycho-social behaviors through the principles and movements of Capoeira. The Capoeira perspective encourages a way to value the manifestation of the popular Brazilian Culture, and richness of many opportunities.

This organization is justified by its importance as an art and its power to help in the educational process. Capoeira Luanda has branches in 7 countries: Brazil, United States, Germany, Peru, Holland, Italy, and Turkey. Our objective is: To divulge and develop all aspects of Capoeira. Capoeira Luanda consists of beginning students, graduates, instructors, professors and contramestres, under the direction of Mestre Jelon and assisted by the board of contramestres and Professors.