Luiz Roberto Andrade Rocha

Grand Master João Pequeno, Grande, and Grand Master João Grande

My name is Luiz Roberto Andrade Rocha, more well-known as Grande in the world of Capoeira. I was born on November 28, 1965 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

I started practicing Capoeira in December 1983, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. My first Master/teacher was Grand Master Dunga (http://www.graomestredunga.com.br/), president of Associação de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro Eu Bahia - A Senzala. I received my certificate of Capoeira Professor in June, 1997. I practiced Capoeira at Associação de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro Eu Bahia - A Senzala for 14 years.

I started practicing Capoeira Angola in December 14, 1996 with Master João Bosco at Grupo de Capoeira Angola “Eu Sou Angoleiro…” in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

I moved to United States of America in April 2000. Since then I have been practicing Capoeira Angola with Grand Master João Grande (http://joaogrande.org).

I have participated in many Capoeira Angola encounters, seminars, and shows.

SELECTED COURSES, WORKSHOPS, AND PERFORMANCES:

Ÿ 2001 - National Heritage Fellowships in the Folk and Traditional Arts (Showcase) - National Endowment for the Arts, Washington DC (http://www.tapnet.org/). Performances at Capitol Hill and Lisner Auditorium (at George Washington University).

Ÿ 2001 - 1^st Capoeira Angola Encounter of Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João Grande, New York City, NY.

Ÿ 2000 - 5^th International Capoeira Angola Encounter of BCCNE - Brazilian Cultural Center of New England, Cambridge, MA (http://www.capoeira-angola.com/).

Ÿ 1999 - 4^th International Capoeira Angola Encounter of BCCNE - Brazilian Cultural Center of New England, Cambridge, MA.

Ÿ 1999 - 5^th International Capoeira Angola Encounter of ICAF - International Capoeira Angola Foundation (http://www.capoeira-angola.org/), Salvador, Brazil.

Ÿ 1998 - 3^rd International Capoeira Angola Encounter of ICAF - International Capoeira Angola Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Ÿ 1997 - 2^nd International Capoeira Angola Encounter of ICAF - International Capoeira Angola Foundation, Washington, DC.

Ÿ 1997 - Baptism of Capoeira - I received my certificate of Capoeira’s Instructor.

Ÿ 1995 - Baptism of Capoeira - I received my certificate of Capoeira’s advanced student.

Brief History of Capoeira

Capoeira is a martial art form that originated in the sixteenth century among slaves brought to Brazil from African nations such as Angola, Congo, and Guinea.

The New World slave masters, anxious to keep their captives under their strict domination, imposed harsh prohibitions and restrictions on parent forms of capoeira, often referred to as "N'golo".

To ensure their survival, the traditional forms were infused with dance and a new musical accompaniment. Capoeira's deadly potential was hidden from the slave-masters by its dance-like elegance, baffling acrobatics, and the engaging rhythms of its music.

For the African slaves, capoeira was a literal and symbolic means of survival. It became a tool of escape and defense, making freedom attainable and affirming strength, self-reliance and self esteem. Subsequently, it was banned in Brazil for 400 years, yet flourished underground-reinforcing its ritualistic elements and its African substructure. In 1937, capoeira was legalized and recognized as a national folkloric art by the Brazilian government. Capoeira is a testimony to the indomitable spirit, ingenuity, and unique expression of Brazilian culture.

Born: November 28, 1965 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish

Instruments: Berimbau, Pandeiro, Atabaque, Agogo, Reco-reco

Education:

Newton Paiva Ferreira University: Bachelor of Science ~ Computer Science. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil - December 1996

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