Brazilian martial artist and educator who developed Capoeira, a unique blend of dance, acrobatics, and music with self-defense techniques, promoting cultural exchange and social change.
Manuel dos Reis Machado, affectionately known as Mestre Bimba, was a Brazilian capoeira master and the founder of the Capoeira Regional style. He revolutionized the art of capoeira by introducing new kicks, sequences of movements, and breaking away from traditional rituals and ineffective techniques.
Manoel dos Reis Machado was born on November 23, 1900, in the neighborhood of Engenho Velho, in Salvador, Brazil. His nickname "Bimba" originated from a bet between his mother and the midwife during his birth, with the midwife correctly guessing he would be a boy.
Bimba came from a Capoeira Angola background, but he was dissatisfied with the emphasis on rituals and ineffective kicks. He sought to reform Capoeira by adding new, effective techniques while maintaining its African traditions and music. His innovations earned him recognition as one of the best capoeiristas of his time, with an undefeated record in numerous public challenges against fighters from various martial arts.
Bimba was not only an exceptional Capoeira master but also an accomplished singer and berimbau player. His musical talents added to the richness of the Capoeira Regional style.
Bimba's contributions to Capoeira have had a lasting impact on the art. He is revered as a pioneer who transformed Capoeira into a dynamic, inclusive, and widely recognized martial art. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of Capoeiristas and enthusiasts worldwide.
Bimba officially declared his Capoeira Regional style in 1936, marking a turning point in the art's history. Throughout his life, he remained dedicated to promoting and developing Capoeira, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage.
Manuel dos Reis Machado, Mestre Bimba, will always be remembered as a visionary who transformed Capoeira into a vibrant, global phenomenon.
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