Galindeu

Antônio Galindeu, also known as Antonio Galindo, was one of the 22 founding mestres of the Centro Nacional de Capoeira de Origem Angola, the historic gathering at Ladeira de Pedra in the Gengibirra area of Salvador's Liberdade neighborhood. This center, established in the 1920s during the era when capoeira was still criminalized in Brazil, served as the primary meeting place for traditional capoeira angola practitioners.

Galindeu was described as "velho mestre do passado, praticante de ritos africanos" (old master of the past, practitioner of African rites), indicating his deep connection to African spiritual traditions. He was particularly respected in the Cabrito region of the Recôncavo Baiano, where he had a large following among devotees of Iansã (Oyá), the Yoruba orisha of winds, storms, and transformation.

According to Mestre Noronha's manuscripts, Galindeu organized the annual Yemanjá celebrations held on February 2nd in Cabrito. These festivities were major community events where a platform would be set up in the churchyard, and the celebrations included samba, batuque, and capoeira, lasting for three days. Galindeu's role as organizer of these events demonstrates his standing as a community leader who bridged capoeira, African spiritual practices, and popular culture.

Galindeu lived to be eighty years old, making him one of the elder statesmen among the Gengibirra founders. His longevity and respect in both the capoeira and religious communities of the Recôncavo made him an important bridge between generations of practitioners.