Our story
The 70's
The activities of the Besouro Mangangá Capoeira Sports and Cultural Association focused on the effort to spread Capoeira in as many spaces as possible. In this way, exhibitions in parades, summer camps, universities, research institutes, folklore festivals made many people aware of the practice of Capoeira. There was a concern to occupy all possible forms of communication to present Capoeira and reinforce its benefits as a sports practice and as an element of Brazilian culture. On the pages of newspapers, soap operas, national cinema and even the 1st Bill that mentions Capoeira, in Federal instance, part of São José dos Campos the Congress. Mestre Damião (Lieutenant Esdras) acted brilliantly making contacts that made Capoeira great, Esdras Filho and Lobão taught classes at Rua Paraibuna 586, forming the first capoeiristas in São José dos Campos and Vale do Paraíba.
The 80's
With the consolidation of Capoeira in the sports field, gymnastics festivals, physical education meetings have become part of the daily life of capoeiristas. In São José dos Campos the Arena Theater (Praça Afonso Pena), Tennis Club, SESC, Gymnasium of the São José Sports Association, Sports Class Associations and the Aerospace Technical Center (CTA) were important meeting points. In the cultural sphere, there was the participation of Mestre Lobão and his students in the Negro Zumbi Community Festival (Feconezu) and in activities questioning the permanence of the social condition of the Brazilian Negro, on the occasion of the centenary of abolition in Brazil.
The 90's
It is a decade in which Capoeira advances to school spaces and Universities. Its internationalization process begins to gain strength based on the tripod: folklore + sport + culture. Affirmative action policies are beginning to be developed with important developments.
The Besouro Mangangá Capoeira Sports and Cultural Association is already consolidated and Mestre Lobão, becomes an ambassador of Capoeira in the world, beginning his work in favor of Capoeira's internationalization.
The 2000's
The inclusion of Capoeira in the Regional Games and Open Games of the Interior and the international circuit of events were important activities for the projection of ADC Besouro Mangangá Capoeira in different places in Brazil and in the world. External work with former students of Mestre Lobão begins to develop under his supervision.
The headquarters of the Association moves to Rua Maria Francisca Fróes, 171 in Jardim São Dimas.
The 2010's
With the recognition of Capoeira as Intangible Heritage (2008), IPHAN through the Pro Capoeira Group performs the award of 100 Masters, among them is Mestre Lobão. At the local level, the 1st Dialog Day for the construction of Racial Equality Policies took place and the recognition of Lobão as Mestre Cultura Viva by Fundação Cultural Cassiano Ricardo.
The Besouro Mangangá Capoeira Sports and Cultural Association is registered as a Culture Point and Parque Vicentina Aranha becomes a monthly meeting point for Capoeiristas in a Roda led by Mestre Lobão that provides moments of joy and exchange between capoeiristas from different places.
The 2020's
Early in 2020, WHO declared the existence of a pandemic, which has challenged everyone. Capoeira, which is a space for encounters, heated and with a lot of physical contact, lives among so many challenges (which are not few) a moment when the virtual territory becomes a meeting point and exchange of experiences.
We remain CONNECTED and ready to write MORE Stories and Memories!
Be part of this History
And are you also part of this history? Go through our Virtual Guestbook and leave your testimonial!