Professor Índio has been learning and teaching Capoeira since 1986. He is a three-time Brazilian champion in Capoeira JEBS (1988, 1989 and 1990).  This national competition featured students of Mestre Bimba and Mestre Pastinha, including Mestre Ezequiel, Mestre Itapuã, Mestre Paulo dos Anjos, and Mestre João Pequeno among others as officials. Professor Índio’s involvement in Capoeira encompasses teaching children on the streets of Brazil to invitations to teach adults at prominent universities across the United States.

In 1993, while training with Mestre Camisa, Professor Índio founded the Acre Capoeira Federation and the Capoeira Central Association (CCA). Professor Índio and the CCA began a series of government-funded projects in Brazil for children. When the programs first began approximately 200 children were enrolled, but that number grew as high as 700. The after-school programs aimed at getting children off the streets through teaching Capoeira. They were designed to encourage the children to enroll in full-time school. The majority of these children were homeless and many were involved in drugs and crime. Professor Índio received a letter of accommodation from Senator Flaviano Melo, the former senator of Acre, Brazil, attesting to his work with the street children of the Rio Branco area. The Senator believes that Professor Índio’s work with these children brought them improved social skills, better interactions within society and provided them with new and positive role models for their lives.

Professor Índio moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2002 and began the first Capoeira academy in Manitoba. He has continued to share his culture and appreciation for Brazilian arts and is now the host of the popular Brazilian Pavilion at Folklorama Festival every August. He shares this exciting art form with more than 20,000 people across Manitoba every year.  

Professor Índio is proud to promote the ideals of Omulu Guanabara Capoeira in Canada under Mestre Preguiça and Mestre DiMola.