Lisboa, Boa Como o nome já diz
In October of 2025 I’ve been to the area of Lisbon in Portugal, to get to know the place together with my family and to also visit people and places related to capoeira, sharing some of my capoeira with them.
For the people who have been to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador da Bahia, Lisbon has some familiar elements. Like in Rio de Janeiro, you can find trams, a big bridge, a large Christ statue, an aqueduct and small black and white tiles, forming a typical mosaic along the streets. Like in Salvador there are many houses painted in yellow, pink, blue, there are several slopes and ferries. And of course, you can find several capoeira schools in each of the cities. Lisbon is a city that has a lot to offer and visiting it only once will never be enough to get to know it better, but it’s definitely a place to visit.
Meeting up Friends & searching for knowledge
On Thursday I went to the Ethnology Museum of Lisboa where I got a look behind the scenes at their great collection of African arts, musical instruments and more, with the help of longtime friend professor Totti Kandimba. Due to his efforts I got to see a great collection the museum holds in their depository and which isn’t on display for the general public, plus I got to meet and talk to the director of the museum: Gonçalo de Carvalho Amaro amongst other people, which was a pleasant exchange.
While I am used to having a relatively small private museum at my house, I can only imagine the efforts made and responsibilities faced by the Ethnology museum in Lisbon and can recommend everyone to have a visit, while in the area. Professor Totti has also written several books, including ‘a Balada de Herculano Mercês’ , which mentions the famous capoeirista Manduca da Praia visiting Portugal. Check here for his contact and info about his books: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CjkGeWhxN/
Friday night: Teaching Time
On Friday after a nice stroll through town I met up with Professor Rubião of the Filhos de Angola group of Mestre Camaleão. Professor Rubião has been teaching capoeira in Lisbon for years and invited me to give a lecture and share musicality of capoeira on Friday evening in the Teatro da Voz and on Saturday.
Musicalidade lecture
During the lecture and music lesson there were revelations of old recordings, influences on capoeira musicality, different styles of singing, berimbau rhythms and applying songs.
It was great to meet Professor Rubião and his group and to share a bit of music and knowledge and I like to thank them for the opportunity and warm welcome!
Check here for more information about his and his group:
Saturday
On Saturday during the second half of the day, I went to the event of Instrutor Katinguele of the Cordão de Ouro group under Mestre Espirrinho to share a bit of my musicality and energy. We have known each other for over ten years and it was nice to be present at his location with well-prepared shows, graduation ceremonies, certificates and a mixture of nice guests from different groups and styles, all coming together to make it a great event.
It was good to be there and meet you and Estrela again. Thank you for the warm welcome! Check here for more info about Katinguele and his group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17E8dBCWtW/
All and all I had a great time in Lisbon and hope to be back there in the future!
Abraço e axé
CM Rouxinol
