Mestre Jair Moura

Jair Fernandes Moura was born on August 27, 1936, in Salvador, Bahia. He would become one of the most important figures in the preservation and documentation of capoeira history—a pioneer whose meticulous research and documentation set the standard for all who followed.

In the late 1950s, young Jair Moura joined Mestre Bimba's academy, beginning a relationship that would define both his practice and his life's work. According to Mestre Nenel, Bimba's son: "He was a student of my father since the 1950s and was the last capoeirista to receive the Lenço Branco from my father".

Nenel further emphasized Jair Moura's significance: "Mestre Jair was perhaps the guy who started this preservation of the history of Capoeira. He was always an observant guy and very honest. He was one of the guys most well-regarded by my father. I considered him like an older brother".

Mestre Bimba formally graduated only four students to the level of mestre (white handkerchief) during his lifetime: Decânio, Jair Moura, Miranda, and Edinho. Of these, Jair Moura was reportedly the last to receive this distinction. This was the highest honor in Capoeira Regional—the lenço branco (white handkerchief) symbolized the silk handkerchiefs that primitive capoeiristas wore around their necks to protect themselves from razor cuts.

In 1968, Jair Moura directed the documentary "Dança de Guerra" (Dance of War), a groundbreaking historical and cultural film featuring Mestre Bimba, Mestre Tiburcinho, Mestre Totonho de Maré, Mestre Noronha, and other prominent capoeiristas. This documentary captured unique footage of legendary masters at the height of their powers and remains an invaluable historical record. A soundtrack album was also released.

Jair Moura lived in Rio de Janeiro during the 1980s, where he conducted extensive research on the history of capoeira in that city. He returned to Salvador in the 1990s. In both cities, he published numerous articles in newspapers and magazines, becoming a recognized voice on capoeira's historical development.

In 1970, he published an article titled "Tiburcio e o Batuque" in the newspaper A Tarde, documenting Mestre Tiburcinho's life and knowledge of batuque, a precursor fighting form to capoeira. This exemplified his commitment to capturing the testimonies of old masters before their knowledge was lost.

Among his most celebrated works are "Mestre Bimba: Uma Vida Consagrada à Capoeiragem" (later editions titled "Uma Vida Dedicada à Capoeiragem"), a definitive book bringing together archives, stories, and anecdotes about the creator of Capoeira Regional. He also authored "A Capoeiragem no Rio de Janeiro Através dos Séculos", which documents the history and development of capoeira in Rio de Janeiro from colonial times through various evolutionary phases.

In 1980, Jair Moura participated as a presenter at the First Regional Capoeira Seminar, organized in Salvador alongside other prominent figures including Carlos Sena, Albano Marinho, Itapoan, and Ordep Serra. This seminar brought together the main Bahian masters of different lineages and styles.

Jair Moura also worked at the Instituto Geográfico e Histórico da Bahia (IGHB), where he served as editor, director, writer, and essayist. In 2007, he participated alongside Frede Abreu in the evaluation panel for Capoeira Viva projects.

He owned an extensive personal library with substantial material on Capoeira Regional, and was also a skilled photographer who documented Mestre Bimba and other capoeiristas from Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. His close relationship with fellow researcher Frederico José de Abreu (Frede, 1947-2013) solidified his role in preserving capoeira's history.

In Jair Moura's honor, Frede Abreu founded the Instituto Jair Moura, which housed a collection of over 40,000 titles on capoeira and Afro-Brazilian culture—books, newspaper clippings, magazines, CDs, photos, and videos.

Jair Moura was also friends with the famous Brazilian filmmaker Glauber Rocha. They would meet regularly in front of the Colégio Central da Bahia in the Nazaré district where Rocha studied.

On August 19, 2020, Mestre Jair Moura died at 84 years old in Salvador, a victim of COVID-19. He was hospitalized at Hospital Santa Izabel. He is survived by two sons, Jacir Moura and Moacir Moura.

The Bahia State Culture Department (SecultBA) issued an official note recognizing "the immense contribution of Jair Moura to the preservation of the history of capoeira and the achievements of significant masters", noting that "his legacy remains and stimulates other generations of researchers, masters and intellectuals".