Mestre Brasília

Antônio Cardoso Andrade was born on May 29, 1942, in Alagoinhas, Bahia, into a humble family. As a child, he moved to Pedrão at age 6, then to Salvador at age 13, where his life would be transformed by capoeira. Before discovering his calling, he worked various trades: water carrier, bread vendor, luggage carrier, shoemaker, metalworker, mechanic, bricklayer, and painter. Raised by a single mother, he faced social prejudice but developed resilience that would serve him throughout his life.

At age 14, after a street fight, Brasília first witnessed capoeira but did not begin training until age 19. In 1961, after seeing a festival performance by Mestre Canjiquinha - the legendary "Joy of Capoeira" - he was captivated and became Canjiquinha's disciple. For six years, he performed throughout Bahia and other Brazilian states, absorbing the art and philosophy of his master.

In 1965, at age 23 (some sources say 25), Brasília left Bahia for São Paulo with dreams of establishing capoeira in Brazil's largest city. The beginning was hard - he arrived without connections, working as a mason while seeking his place in the capoeira world. His fortune changed when people from his hometown of Itabuna introduced him to Zé de Freitas's academy, where he met Mestre Suassuna.

On September 1, 1967, Brasília and Suassuna together founded the Associação de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro in Vila Mariana, São Paulo. In an innovative arrangement, Brasília taught Capoeira Angola while Suassuna taught Capoeira Regional within the same space - a model that respected both traditions. After a short period, in 1969, Brasília decided to establish his own group: Associação de Capoeira São Bento Grande, which continues today as Escola de Capoeira Ginga Brasília.

Brasília was one of the "Grupo dos Nove" (Group of Nine) - Bahian capoeiristas who came to São Paulo in the 1960s and pioneered the art in the state. Ten years later, they received certificates from Mestre Bimba himself, recognizing them as precursors and creators of Capoeira in São Paulo - a remarkable honor from the founder of Capoeira Regional.

In 1981, Brasília honored his master by creating the Troféu Mestre Canjiquinha with support from the Federação Paulista de Capoeira (São Paulo Capoeira Federation). This trophy continues to recognize excellence in capoeira, keeping Canjiquinha's memory alive.

From the 1970s, Brasília began international expansion. He lived in Japan for three years (1973-1975), returning multiple times (1986, 2000, 2002, 2008-2010). He also taught in Germany (1987), the United States (1995, 1997, 2008), Italy (1999), Korea, Belgium, Spain, England, and China - spreading Brazilian culture across continents.

Beyond teaching, Brasília is a prolific composer of capoeira music, samba, puxada de rede, maculelê, and other Brazilian rhythms. He recorded six albums: "Ginga Original" (1990), "Ginga Original II" (1993), "50 anos sem tirar a mão do chão" (2011), "Capoeira é de valor" (2015), and "Sorriso no rosto" (2020). His book "Vivência e Fundamentos de um Mestre de Capoeira" (Experience and Foundations of a Capoeira Master), published by Editora Circuito LW, documents his trajectory and philosophy.

Throughout his career, Brasília trained over 50,000 students through his academies. He holds positions as Vice-President of the Federação de Capoeira do Estado de São Paulo and is a member of the Honor Board of the Superior Council of Masters of São Paulo.

Despite taking different paths, Brasília and Suassuna remain friends, their partnership and friendship evident to this day. In 2010, Brasília celebrated 50 years in capoeira with a milestone event titled "50 ANOS SEM TIRAR A MÃO DO CHÃO" (50 Years Without Taking Hand Off the Ground) - reflecting his lifelong dedication to the art.

Brasília views capoeira holistically: "Capoeira is not just sport, it is a Brazilian cultural manifestation with very broad content: we have rhythm, poetry, music, choreography, defense, attack, spectacle, struggle and sport". This vision has guided his teaching for over six decades.