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Our Mission Statement

To contribute to Tucson's efforts to increase the diversity and culture of our community through the many artistic expressions of Capoeira.

Capoeira Malandragem was founded by contra-Mestre Dondi "Enxu" (former Muay Thai & Escrima instructor). The academy is associated with the United Capoeira Association. Dondi continually furthers his training with world renowned Capoeira Masters Mestre Acordeon ,Mestre Ra and Mestra Suelli. In his training Dondi has traveled to Brazil and across the western United States attending encounters, workshops, and batizados. He has provided workshops and scheduled trips to other academies around the world, including Brazil, California, Colorado, and New Mexico with Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Ra, Mestra Suelli , Contra Mestre Calango, Mestre Ramos, Mestre Deputado, Mestre Canguru and other students of capoeira.

Our mission, as students of Mestre Acordeon, is to reach disadvantaged youth providing them with the means to enrich their own lives thru capoeira. Contra-Mestre Enxuhas dedicated himself to the pursuit of the advancement of Capoeira in the United States, both thru his academy in Tucson, Az and thru his instructors in various states.

Frequently Asked Question:

What is capoeira?
To truly answer this question , Capoeira Malandragem referred to a brief history of capoeira , by
Mestre Acordeon;
Brief Description Of Capoeira
Capoeira is an art form hat involves movement, music, and elements of practical philosophy. One experiences the essence of capoeira by "playing" a physical game called jogo de capoeira (game of capoeira) or simply jogo. During this ritualized combat,two capoeiristas (players of capoeira) exchange movements of attack and defense in a constant flow while observing rituals and proper manners of the art. Both players attempt to control the space by confusing the opponent with feints and deceptive moves. During the jogo, the capoeiristas explore their strengths and weaknesses,fears and fatigue in a sometimes frustrating, but nevertheless enjoyable, challenging and constant process of personal expression,self-reflection and growth.

The speed and character of the jogo are generally determined by the many different rhythms of the berimbau, a one-string musical bow, which is considered to be the primary symbol of this art form. The berimbau is complemented by the pandeiro (tambourine),atabaque (single-headed standing drum), agogo (double bell), and reco-reco (grooved segment of bamboo scraped with a stick) to form a unique ensemble of instruments. Inspiring solos and collective singing in a call-and-response dialogue join the hypnotic percussion to complete the musical ambiance for the capoeira session. The session is called roda de capoeira, literally "capoeira wheel,"or simply roda. The term roda, refers to the ring of participants that defines the physical space for the two capoeiristas engaged in the ritualized combat.

Original work published by The Latin American Institute, UNM, Albuquerque.
© 1996 Ubirajara G. Almeida
Illustration by Sherry Melinkoff