Mestres

Mestre Preguiça

Wandenkolk Manoel De Oliveira, known around the world as Mestre Preguiça, studied under the legendary Mestre Bimba in Bahia, Brazil, from whom he graduated in 1963. Two years later, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and along Rafael Flores Viana and Fernando Cavalcante Albuquerque (Mestre Gato), founded Grupo Senzala, which in time would become arguably the world's most famous Capoeira group in existence.

In the 20 years he spent in Rio, Mestre Preguiça graduated 10 Mestres. After touring 23 countries with a Brazilian Dance Company and receiving degrees in physical education in Brazil and Europe, Mestre Preguiça came to the San Francisco Bay Area to expand the art in the United States. In 1986, he founded Omulu Capoeira Group of San Francisco.

In 1995 Mestre Preguiça began the Omulu Community Action Project (CAP). He has taught youth classes and workshops at numerous community centers and public schools including Harvey Milk and Mission Recreation Centers, Mission Dolores Gym, Horizons Unlimited, St. Mary's, Mission High and Everett Middle School. Mestre Preguiça's passion for the art and his commitment to helping people improve their lives through Capoeira is admirable and incomparable. In addition to his impressive trajectory, in 2000 Mestre Preguiça also became the first person to graduate a capoeirista to a Master level outside of Brazil, with the formatura of Mestre Carlos Aceituno. Mestre Preguiça's work and dedication has now spread throughout the U.S., with branches in Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts and Minneapolis, besides the numerous academies throughout the state of California.

Mestre Di Mola

Mestre Di Mola has devoted his life to Capoeira for 30 years. His work is highly respected and his name is well known in the world of Capoeira. In the year of 1998, Mestre Di Mola founded Capoeira Guanabara in Brazil. He felt that he wanted to develope capoeira even further, to improve the quality and mentality of the capoeiristas, and to absorb the roots and the culture.

He has been to most countries in Europe, all over Brazil and USA and in Asia to spread and teach Capoeira. Today he lives in Sweden with his family, where he is growing a strong group of capoeiristas.

Mestre Carlos Aceituno

Our beloved teacher and friend, Mestre Carlos Aceituno unexpectedly left this world on September 27, 2006 at the young age of 45.

Mestres Preguica and Di Mola miss him deeply and wish to thank him for his years of dedication to the art and culture of Capoeira.

In his honor, our family has set up this page in remembrance of him.