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.
Go beyond what limits you and enjoy the experience of Capoeira! |
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Capoeira Mandinga
Capoeira Mandinga has existed since 1984, when Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha was the third person to arrive in the California Bay Area and began teaching classes. Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha started it under the name of Senzala Grande (The name was changed in 1995). Capoeira Mandinga also has a life as a nonprofit organization called the Capoeira Institute. The group is affiliated with many other schools and performing groups around the country and around the world. |
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Mandinga
 Mandinga is derived from the word Mandinka also know as Mandingo. The Mandinka are one of the largest ethic 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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