Mestre Bamba

Rubens Costa Silva, known as Mestre Bamba or affectionately "Rubinho", was born on September 4, 1964, in Salvador, Bahia. At the age of 12, while helping his mother run a restaurant in the historic center, young Rubens witnessed capoeira classes being taught by Mestre Gato da Bahia in the Pelourinho. This encounter sparked his passion for the art.

His entry into capoeira came through the streets. Participating in various rodas at the Terreiro de Jesus, he met Mestre Vermelho Boxel (Cecílio de Jesus Calheiros), whom Bamba considers his first mestre. This encounter in 1977 proved fateful. Vermelho Boxel introduced the young aspirant to the Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba, where Vermelho 27—Vermelho Boxel's own teacher—still held court as the custodian of Mestre Bimba's legacy.

From that moment, Bamba immersed himself in the world of Capoeira Regional at the historic academy on Rua das Laranjeiras in the Terreiro de Jesus—the very space where Mestre Bimba had taught since 1942. Under the guidance of Mestre Vermelho 27, assisted by mestres Coringa, Durval (Ferro Velho), Boa Gente, and Bahia, Bamba progressed from a simple associate to become the inheritor of one of capoeira's most sacred spaces.

Bamba's journey from student to leader was gradual but steady. He trained for years at the academy, eventually receiving his mestre diploma from Vermelho 27. When Vermelho 27 passed away on May 18, 1996—after years battling skin cancer—Bamba invested tremendous effort to preserve the traditions and history of Capoeira Regional. He sought counsel from the older mestres in Bahia, and most supported his intention to conserve the culture and history of capoeira.

Today, Mestre Bamba serves as President of the Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba, continuing the succession that runs from Mestre Bimba through Vermelho 27 (with a brief period under Mestre Almiro in the mid-1980s). He teaches at Rua das Laranjeiras in the Pelourinho, where demonstrations occur almost every night featuring traditional Regional, various toques of the berimbaus, contemporary rodas, and sometimes maculelê.

His philosophy reflects profound humility: "I am not the owner of Regional Capoeira; I had several masters, and I will always respect my Mestre Vermelho 27. I preserve the history of Capoeira Regional and practice it until the day I die. The Capoeira Regional was passed on to me by Mestre Vermelho 27". He emphasizes that he respects all other styles of capoeira and refuses to criticize other expressions of the art.

Under his leadership, the ACMB has grown into an international organization with branches in Japan, Belgium, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Russia, Canada, and Poland. Mestre Bamba dedicates considerable time to traveling throughout Europe and beyond to teach. The organization has produced numerous mestres including Orelha, Nelsinho, Marinheiro, Zambi, Cabeludo, Traíra, and others—some of whom later founded their own organizations, notably the União Internacional de Capoeira Regional (UNICAR) in 2003.

Mestre Bamba's training grounds at the Terreiro de Jesus represent the oldest physical space in the world where capoeira is continuously taught. As custodian of this heritage, he embodies the living link between the founder of Capoeira Regional and future generations—a responsibility he carries with characteristic dedication and grace.