Malandro (Ricky Lawson II)
began his Capoeira path in October of ‘97 at the YMCA’s in Detroit and Livonia Michigan. He joined Capoeira Mandinga Detroit under the guidance of Barret “Camarada” Leveret. In various monthly workshops he was introduced to Mestre Barrão, then Mestre Marcelo, and lastly Mestre Suassuna. It was Mestre Suassuna who gave Malandro his nickname. In the summer of ‘99 he received his green cord at his first Batizado in Berkeley CA. In the year 2000 he moved to California to train extensively with Mestre Marcelo. Since that time, he has been exposed to very different styles of Capoeira including Angola, Regional, as well as the Mandinga group’s Cordão de Ouro lineage. In August of 2006 in Ubatuba, Brazil, Malandro was the youngest member in the Mandinga group to receive the rank of Contra Mestre. Malandro has lived and trained intensively in Brazil. He has taught classes for many Capoeira schools scattered throughout the U.S. as well as various groups in China, Japan, Israel, Mexico and Brazil. He has even taught at Mestre Suassuna’s academy in São Paulo, Brazil. Malandro’s passion for Capoeira, along with the ability to teach youth from any social background, results in Capoeira being used as a very effective tool for education, personal growth, growth of the community and the world.
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What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art. It is a rhythm-based form of combat with deep-seeded roots in African cultures. Music is an integral part of its practice and its movements of attack and defense are dance-like in execution. It is a 500-year-old method of survival that was created in secret as a weapon of the oppressed against the oppressor.
Through dedication and rigorous training, self-discovery is achieved as Capoeira increases strength, flexibility and endurance. Over time, the words “limitation” and “I can’t” begin to fade from the student’s way of thinking regardless of their age, sex or prior athletic experience.
Contra Mestre Malandro creates a positive atmosphere of community and demonstrates how Capoeira, as a way of life, leads to inner peace that comes with personal liberation of the mind and freedom of expression of the body and soul.
Visit, watch, try, enjoy Capoeira! |
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Mandinga de Escravos (sorcery of the slaves):
The focus of this school is to educate, train, study, promote and help preserve the traditions and principles of Capoeira Regional. Our reference for Capoeira Regional comes directly from the source with Mestre Nenel the son of Mestre Bimba, creator of Capoeira Regional and the most influential master of Capoeira. Much that is said today is about progress and evolution, while tradition and attempts to learn about our history are forgotten. Our school focuses on the roots of Capoeira Regional which has a very effective methodology, character building principles with rich traditions and rituals. "In reality, the traditional Capoeira Regional movements, music, rules and philosophy differ quite strongly from contemporary offshoots. For example, traditional Capoeira Regional, as Mestre Bimba practiced it and as his son continues to practice it, does not for example incorporate the flashier, acrobatic movements that have come to define modern styles. Bimba's Regional is based instead on rhythm, technical precision and dialogue with one's partner, with the philosophy of creating harmony within the group and individual well-being, rather than focusing on personal performance." (Filhos de Bimba Toronto) Although our base is Capoeira Regional, we respect and research all Capoeira and frequently participate in various events and rodas in the Capoeira community. |
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Mandinga
 Mandinga is derived from the word Mandinka also know as Mandingo. The Mandinka are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa with an estimated population of eleven million. During the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, about one third of the Mandinka were shipped to America as slaves. In Colonial Brazil the word Mandingueiro became synonymous with anyone of African origin who had knowledge related to healing and protective amulets (Patuá) to ward off evil inluences. In Capoeira, the word Mandinga is most commonly referred to as sorcery, witchcraft or black magic and a Mandingueiro is someone who plays Capoeira with a lot of body expression, skill and is very cunning.
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