Mestre Derli

Darli da Silva Costa, known as Mestre Derli, was born on April 2, 1956 in the São Carlos community of Estácio, Rio de Janeiro. His early life was marked by tragedy—a street child from ages seven to nine, he lived on the streets of Ipanema where he participated in capoeira rodas and was occasionally fed by artists like Leila Diniz and Marieta Severo. At just eight years old, while sleeping on the streets, three people set him on fire. He was rescued and taken in by three others who introduced him to the art of capoeira.

Derli began practicing capoeira formally with Mestre Roque ("Mestre Rock"), one of the four founding lineages of contemporary capoeira in Rio de Janeiro. Under Roque's guidance, he developed his skills and eventually became one of the mestres formed by Roque's lineage.

Shortly before turning eleven, Derli moved to Cidade de Deus (City of God) with his mother, arriving on October 12th—Children's Day. He lived with her until he was thirty. This community would become the center of his life's work.

Derli went on to co-found Grupo Aliança Ariri, becoming its coordinator and one of its main leaders. He taught capoeira in municipal schools within the Cidade de Deus community for many years, using the art as a tool for social rescue—just as it had rescued him. His work earned him the title "Mestre de Jacarepaguá" (Master of Jacarepaguá).

His contributions have been widely recognized. On March 20, 2011, when President Barack Obama visited Cidade de Deus with First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Derli was among those who performed capoeira for the American First Family at the Fundação para a Infância e Adolescência (FIA) courtyard. He has received numerous honors including the Medalha Tiradentes (the highest honor given by Rio de Janeiro's state legislature), a medal from the Black Culture Movement, and recognition from the Canadian Consul. He has traveled twice to the United States and has students who teach capoeira in Canada.

Derli serves as the Padrinho (Godfather) of Capoeira Aché Brasil, Canada's first capoeira group founded in 1990 by Mestre Eclilson. In 2007, he awarded Mestre Eclilson his second-degree mestre belt in recognition of years of dedication to teaching and promoting capoeira.

His story was documented in the book "Os grandes Mestres Guardiões da Cidade de Deus – Fazedores de Destino" (The Great Guardian Masters of City of God – Makers of Destiny) by Valéria Barbosa, published in 2012.

In March 2023, Derli appeared alongside his teacher Mestre Roque at MIS RJ's "Memória da Capoeira" recording session, supporting Roque as he gave testimony about four generations of capoeira in Rio de Janeiro. His presence at this cultural preservation event underscores his continued connection to his lineage and his commitment to preserving capoeira's history.

As he has said: "Capoeira was always stronger than life's pains—if I wasn't well, I'd go to a roda and improve."

Derli has two daughters who followed his path in capoeira, with one becoming a physical education teacher and capoeirista, continuing the family tradition.