Criança Raízes do Abaeté

The project Criança Raízes do Abaeté (Children, the roots of Abaeté) was set up in March 2005 by Contra Mestre Luis Negão and Onca Pintada.  It is located in Abaeté in Itapua, Salvador and its primary aim is to offer disadvantaged children from the local neighbourhood a safe place to learn the art of Capoeira.  The project provides the kids with free Capoeira classes in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.

Financed by the Abolicao Trust (Registered Charity No. 1111395), the project employs three local Capoeira teachers, a co-ordinator and an adminstrator.  As well as the Capoeira classes the project embraces the kids' families as well by organising cultural events, such as Mothers' Day, Children's Day, and so on.

In July 2005, Contra Mestre Luis Negao took 10 of his students from Abolicao Capoeira Oxford out to Abaeté to work at the project.  Their input and help was invaluable and the kids and students enjoyed not only playing Capoeira together but also painting the school, doing many art activities and exchanging Portuguese and English.

The first Batizado for the Project took place in July 2006, led by Contra Mestre Luis Negao and his students from Abolicao Oxford Capoeira.