Mestre Tiburcinho

Tibúrcio José de Santana, known as Tiburcinho or Tibúrcio de Jaguaripe, was born around 1884 in Jaguaripe, Bahia, son of Francisco José de Santana and Marciana Maria de Araújo. He stands as one of the last great masters of batuque, an Afro-Brazilian combat form similar to capoeira where fighters used their legs to unbalance opponents.

Tiburcinho learned batuque from Mestre Bernardo José de Cosme, whom he described as "mestre da arte na sua região" (master of the art in his region). As he recalled to historian Jair Moura in 1970, batuque was "um jogo cuja competição era formada por dois contendores, tendo o ponto fundamental de defesa os órgãos sexuais, devido à violência dos golpes" (a game whose competition was formed by two contenders, with the fundamental point of defense being the sexual organs, due to the violence of the blows).

After moving to Salvador like many workers of that era, Tiburcinho learned capoeira at the Mercado Popular, training with the local capoeiristas. He became recognized in Salvador's capoeira circles for his exceptional skill and began frequenting Mestre Pastinha's academy, where he was often seen.

His most significant historical contribution came through his partnership with Mestre Bimba. Introduced to Bimba by Dr. Ângelo Decânio in the 1950s, Tiburcinho helped the famous creator of Capoeira Regional remember many old songs that had been forgotten. He also contributed to reviving the choreography of maculelê, an Afro-Brazilian stick-fighting dance that had nearly been lost. Tiburcinho was one of multiple sources who helped Bimba adopt maculelê—Zezinho, son of Popó do Maculelê from Santo Amaro, also introduced his father's tradition to Bimba after moving to Salvador. Through these combined influences, Bimba began including maculelê in presentations with his group, and today maculelê is studied and performed by capoeira groups worldwide.

In 1953, Tiburcinho was present at the famous Roça do Lobo roda near the bridge linking Tororó to Garcia in Salvador. This was the roda where a young João Grande first witnessed capoeira, alongside João Pequeno, Barbosa, Cobrinha Verde, and Menino Gordo. As João Grande recalled, he came upon "three sticks of the berimbaus" under a mango tree and asked Mestre Barbosa what it was—and thus began his capoeira journey.

In 1968, Tiburcinho participated in the documentary film "Dança de Guerra" directed by Jair Moura, performing alongside Mestre Bimba, Mestre Totonho de Maré, and Mestre Noronha. In 1971, he was photographed with Mestre Bimba in Nordeste de Amaralina, Salvador.

Jorge Amado immortalized Tiburcinho in his 1969 novel "Tenda dos Milagres", listing him among the great capoeira masters who "demonstrated valor and competence at the School" alongside Querido-de-Deus, Chico da Barra, and Vicente Pastinha.

When interviewed by Jair Moura in February 1970, Tiburcinho was 86 years old and living with his nephew Amaro Bonfim de Santana in Madragoa. Despite his advanced age, Moura noted that "the old Tibúrcio maintained faith in his blessed manuscada, protecting against illnesses like asthma and neuralgias". His death date is unknown, but he outlived Mestre Bimba (who died in 1974).

Tiburcinho lamented how batuque had been "criminosamente esquecido por todos" (criminally forgotten by everyone) and worked throughout his life to preserve these dying traditions of Afro-Brazilian culture.