About Raízes do Brasil
Mestre Ralil
In 1980, Mestre Ralil founded Centro Cultural de Capoeira Raízes do Brasil, headquartered in Brasília, with the goal to empower the city’s under-represented children, adolescents and adults. Despite facing incredible socio-economic odds, many of Mestre Ralil’s students have employed the lessons of capoeira to overcome challenges outside of the roda and now thrive as active and visible leaders in their families and communities. In addition to his work at the Centro Cultural, Mestre Ralil often participates in social outreach projects in partnership with the city, state and federal governments. Together with his students, he has performed for each of Brazil’s last three presidents: Fernando Collor de Mello, Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Professor Curu
Professor Curu began training Capoeira in Brazil’s capital, Brasília, at the age of 11. As a student of Mestre Ralil of Centro Cultural Capoeira Raízes do Brasil, he began teaching Capoeira both at the Raízes do Brasil Capoeira Headquarters and at a local elementary school. Professor Curu enjoyed traveling around Brazil and US to play & exchange in the art of Capoeira. In February 2011 he moved to Brooklyn, New York and continued his Capoeira training at Raízes do Brasil Capoeira.
In October 2011, Professor Curu opened the Raízes do Brasil Capoeira academy at a new location and he continues to work hard to keep the spirit and camaraderie.
Professor Curu’s greatest satisfaction comes from watching his students evolve and seeing their dedication to learning Capoeira.
