Greetings!
A few days ago (February 29th), I ran across this Mini documentary, and I posted it on the blog.
I liked the documentray so much, tyhat that I decided to make a page dedicated to the mestre featured in it, Mestre Rene Biittencourt.
Below is an interviiew about his bio, and his history in Capoeira Angola, but since videos don’t last forever, I will provide a written bio of his life below.
Mestre Renê Bitencourt was born on July 8, 1959 in Teodoro Sampaio, Puerto de Feira de Santana, A disciple of the late Mestre Paulo dos Anjos, and heir to the lineage of Canjiquinha and Aberrê, Renê stood out as one of the protagonists in the political articulation of capoeira Angola in the 80s and 90s, helping to conceive and organize the historic Encontros Mestre Paulo dos Anjos, in Mar Grande, Itaparica, in addition to the Capoeira Solidária movement, in Salvador.
Acanne (Associação de capoeira angola slave ship) was founded on March 11, 1986 in the premises of the printing company in Bahía, with the support of José Currello, president of the company, and later continued support from Osma Luducive’s brothers. The association emerged as a bastion of preservation and diffusion of capoeira Angola, an Afro-Brazilian cultural manifestation that combines elements of dance, music and wrestling. Since its founding, Acanne has played a fundamental role in promoting capoeira Angola, offering classes, workshops and events for the local community. The vision to preserve this unique artistic expression has been driven by committed leaders and constant support from the community, which has allowed the association to flourish over the years. Furthermore, the contribution of José Currello and Osma Luducive has been fundamental to the development and growth of Acanne, generating a lasting impact on the preservation and promotion of capoeira Angola.
Acanne was responsible for creating a weekly capoeira column in the newspaper A Tarde, between 1987 and 1993, which publicized capoeira events throughout the city. In 1987, he led the process of creating ABCA – Associação Brasileira de Capoeira Angola, and from the 90s onwards he organized the legendary Meetings of the Guardians of Capoeira Angola in Bahia, bringing together the old guard of this rich Afro-Brazilian cultural manifestation. Around 2000, the group moved to its current headquarters in Largo 2 de Julho, maintaining a base in Fazenda Grande, where it carries out art education activities with children and teenagers.
Acanne also maintains centers in Porto Alegre, Erexim and Passo Fundo (RS); Poços de Caldas (MG); Tunapuna (Trinidad and Tobago); Phoenix Arizona (USA) and Paris (France). In Salvador, the group holds two main events annually. Pra Contar Certo Tem Que Ver de Perto is a cycle of experiences, lectures and workshops that take place in the month of July with the aim of bringing capoeiristas from all over the world to get to know the old masters in their cultural environment, encouraging them to stay in Bahia. O Sabor do Saber Ancestral, born from a feijoada of religious obligation held in November, highlights the ancestry and African civilizational values present in capoeira Angola.
Mestre Rene’s amazing music is a true embodiment of artistry and passion, deeply rooted in tradition while also pushing the boundaries of creativity. With each note and rhythm, Mestre Rene captures the essence of their musical heritage and breathes new life into it, creating an experience that resonates with audiences on a profound level. Through their unparalleled talent and dedication, Mestre Rene invites listeners on a captivating journey, where the vibrant tapestry of their music unfolds with every melody. Click below to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Mestre Rene’s extraordinary music.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 