Mestre Bimba

Manoel dos Reis Machado was born on 23rd November 1899, in the neighbourhood of Brotas, Engenho Velho, in the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, the song of Luis Candido Machado, batuque artist, and Dona Maria Martinha do Bonfim. His capoeira name, Mestre Bimba, arose from a bet between his mother and the midwife as to whether he would be a boy or a girl. Being a boy, he had a Bimba, referring to his masculine genital organs.

Mestre Bimba had various professions, but confirmed himself as a Masteer of Capoeira. At that time, capoeiristas were marginalised. The police sergeant, Pedro de Araujo Gordilho, ‘Pedrito’ was for a long time the fear of Bahian capoeiristas., who began to hide themselves disguise their capoeira, being seen merely as folklore. The fighting capoeiristas, feared, loyal and with technique gave way to the pseudo-angolan capoeira dances. Only a few kicks remained, no more than nine, and the ginga.

Feeling that capoeira was losing its characteristics, he, possessing a creative spirit and great intelligence, decided to create a particular method, known today as Regional Baiana. Excellent practitioner of capoeria and intimate with Batuque (ancient art of fighting now disused), Mestre Bimba became the great name of capoeira, being the image itself of the fight.

In 1032 he founded the first specialised academy, in Engenho Velho do Brotas. At this time he also taught in people’s homes, in the ‘Roca do Lobo’. On 9th June 1937, he registered his Capoeira Scool with the Secretary of Education, Helth and Public Assistance, becoming the first authorised academy to lecture Capoeira. In 1939 he taught ‘regional’ in the army base of the CPOR. He established his second academy in 1942.

On 23rd July 1953, when the President Getulio Vargas watched in the Palacio da Aclamacao, together with Dr Regis Pachecho, then Govenor of Bahia, a presentation of capoeria regional by Mestre Bimba. The president confirmed that capoeira was a unique and truly national sport. He also administered his course in colleges and army and military police headquarters.

In 1986 he commemorated 50 years of Capoeria Regional. The II Symposium of Capoeria took place in 1968. Mestre Bimba appeared at the event and returned before the end, disappointed. President Mediice helped in Goiania in 1971 during the Expo / Goias. In 1973 he moved to Goiania where died, victim of a stroke followed by a heart attack on the 5th of February 1973.

His remains were taken to Salvador in 1978, being installed in Jazigo no.194 of 3rd Order of the Carmo in the Historical Centre on 5th February 1994.