Person
Mestre Moraes
Pedro Moraes Trindade
1950 –
Born in Ilha de Maré, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
11
today19501960197019801990200020102020
today
19501960197019801990200020102020
- Life
- Lineage (training, titles granted)
- Locations
- approximate
- no end date
Dated moments of this life, from the corpus.1 undated moment is listed under Relations
- 1950Born · Ilha de Maré, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- c. 1958Trained in Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil · at 8
- 1958Began training with Pastinha, João Grande, João Pequeno · at 8
- 1970Taught in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · at 20
- 197816 December 1978Active in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · at 28
- 197816 December 19784 titles granted · Braga, Zé Carlos, Neco, Marco Aurélio · at 28
- 1982Lived in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil · at 32
- 1982Title granted to Marco Aurélio · at 32 · evidence
- 1986Title granted to Cobra Mansa · at 36 · evidence
- 1989Title granted to Rogério · at 39 · evidence
- 1992Title granted to Valmir · at 42 · evidence
16
3 teachers
Mestre Mestre João Pequeno
1917 – 201127 December 1917 – 9 December 2011Mestre Pastinha
1889 – 19815 April 1889 – 13 November 1981
MestreMoraes
→13 students
Mestre Rogério
1954 –Mestre Zé Carlos
1950s –Mestre Cobra Mansa
1960 –Mestre Marco Aurélio
1950s –Mestre Neco
1955 –Mestre Braga
1957 –Mestre Angolinha
1950s –Mestre Jurandir Nascimento
1950s –Mestra Paulinha
1963 –Mestre Valmir
1965 –Mestre Poloca
c. 1960 –1960 (approx.) –Mestra Janja
1959 –Mestre Laércio
1966 –
Pedro Moraes Trindade was born on February 9, 1950, on Ilha de Maré, an island in the Bay of All Saints near Salvador, Bahia. His father was a capoeirista who introduced him to the art at the age of seven.
Around 1958, at approximately eight years old, Moraes began training at Mestre Pastinha's academy, the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola (CECA) in the Pelourinho neighborhood of Salvador. By this time, Pastinha was already going blind and no longer taught classes directly. The academy was run by his students Mestre João Grande and Mestre João Pequeno. Moraes considers João Grande his true teacher, deeply impressed by the way João Grande played capoeira.
In 1970, Moraes joined the Brazilian Marines and was transferred to Rio de Janeiro. There, he established the first school to teach Capoeira Angola outside of Bahia. By 1974, he was already instructing in the northern suburb of Belfort Roxo. His Rio students included those who would become renowned mestres themselves: Mestre Braga, Mestre Neco, and Mestre José Carlos (Zé Carlos).
On December 16, 1978, at Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, Moraes promoted Braga, Neco, and Zé Carlos to the rank of Mestre, and Marco Aurélio to Contra-Mestre. These were the first mestres of Capoeira Angola formed outside of Bahia.
On October 5, 1980, at an artisan fair in Cosme Velho in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, the Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP) was formally founded with a demonstration of capoeira and maculelê. The founding idea came from Mestre Neco, with the goal of opposing the Brazilian military government's suppression of African culture. The group's logo—a berimbau and two zebras fighting, referencing capoeira's African origins—was designed by Mestre Braga. The founding mestres were Moraes, Braga, Neco, and Zé Carlos, with Contra-Mestres Marco Aurélio and Peçanha (later known as Cobra Mansa).
In 1982, Moraes returned to Salvador, bringing his top student Cobra Mansa with him. Their return revitalized the Salvador capoeira community at a time when Capoeira Angola was in severe decline—overshadowed by the more popular Capoeira Regional. Moraes left the three young Rio mestres with full autonomy to continue his teaching, promoting Marco Aurélio to mestre before departing.
In the mid-1980s, Moraes and Cobra Mansa accomplished something remarkable: they convinced Mestre João Grande to return to teaching Capoeira Angola. João Grande had withdrawn from capoeira after Pastinha's death in 1981, working at a gas station. Their persuasion brought one of the most important living links to Pastinha back into active teaching—ultimately leading to João Grande's move to New York City in 1990.
GCAP became one of the most recognized Capoeira Angola organizations in the world. The group established strong connections with Black consciousness movements in Salvador, particularly Ilê Aiyê and Olodum. GCAP advocated for the inclusion of African and Afro-Brazilian traditions in the practice of capoeira angola, fighting against the commercialization and martial-arts-ification of the art.
Moraes codified the musical structure of Capoeira Angola, defining its basic instrumental ensemble (bateria) and requiring GCAP members to master all aspects of the music. He authored six compositions, including ladainhas and corridos.
Parallel to his capoeira work, Moraes pursued extensive formal education. He obtained a degree in Vernacular Letters with English from Universidade Católica do Salvador in 1991. He earned a Master's degree in Social History from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), and completed a Doctorate in the Multidisciplinary Program in Culture and Society, also at UFBA. For many years, he worked as a teacher of English and Portuguese at public schools in Bahia.
In 2004, his album "Brincando na Roda" (Playing in the Roda), recorded with GCAP and released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Traditional World Music Album category. This was the first and only capoeira recording to be nominated for a Grammy.
Moraes is a strong advocate for "capoeira without prejudice", speaking against discriminatory practices within capoeira, including the use of pejorative nicknames that he argues perpetuate slavery's legacy. He has presented at TEDx Pelourinho on bullying and prejudice in capoeira.
Today, GCAP maintains its headquarters in Salvador with schools in Ceará, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, and Japan. Mestre Moraes continues to direct GCAP as a cultural outreach project, having trained over twenty students who became mestres themselves, including Cobra Mansa, Janja, Paulinha, Poloca, Valmir, and Jurandir—many of whom went on to found their own organizations spreading Capoeira Angola worldwide.
27
24
Granted titles to8
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Braga16 December 1978
Location: Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Received Mestre title on December 16, 1978 at Parque Lage, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro. Promoted alongside Neco and Zé Carlos; Marco Aurélio became Contra-Mestre. Mestres Camisa and Preguiça attended as honored guests. These were the first mestres of Capoeira Angola formed outside of Bahia.
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Zé Carlos16 December 1978
Location: Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Received Mestre title on December 16, 1978 at Parque Lage, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro. Promoted alongside Braga and Neco; Marco Aurélio became Contra-Mestre. Mestres Camisa and Preguiça attended as honored guests. These were the first mestres of Capoeira Angola formed outside of Bahia.
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Neco16 December 1978
Location: Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Received Mestre title on December 16, 1978 at Parque Lage, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro. Promoted alongside Braga and Zé Carlos; Marco Aurélio became Contra-Mestre. Mestres Camisa and Preguiça attended as honored guests. These were the first mestres of Capoeira Angola formed outside of Bahia.
Moraes granted the title of Contra-Mestre to Marco Aurélio16 December 1978
Promoted to contra-mestre on December 16, 1978 at Parque Lage ceremony. Braga, Neco, and Zé Carlos received mestre titles at same event. Mestres Camisa and Preguiça attended as guests.
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Marco Aurélio1982
Promoted to mestre by Moraes shortly before Moraes returned to Salvador in 1982.
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Cobra Mansa1986
Graduated to mestre by Moraes in 1986.
Moraes granted the title of Mestre to Rogério1989
Received mestre title from Mestre Moraes (GCAP) in 1989. Part of dual recognition alongside Cobra Mansa.
Moraes granted the title of Contra-Mestre to Valmir1992
Received contra-mestre title mid-1992; Moraes was GCAP leader, likely conferred the title
Trained under2
Moraes trained under Pastinha1958 – 13 November 1981
Moraes trained at Mestre Pastinha's Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola (CECA). However, by this time Pastinha was already going blind and no longer taught classes directly. Using 'trained_under' rather than 'student_of' to reflect that the actual instruction came from João Grande and João Pequeno.
Moraes trained under João Pequeno1958 – 9 December 2011
Moraes trained at Pastinha's academy where João Pequeno was one of the two principal instructors (alongside João Grande). João Pequeno and João Grande ran the academy as Pastinha was blind.
Student of1
Moraes student of João Grande1958 –
Moraes began training at Pastinha's academy around age 8 (~1958). João Grande and João Pequeno ran the classes as Pastinha was blind. Moraes states he considers João Grande his true teacher due to the impression made by the way João Grande played capoeira.
Guided the training of3
Moraes guided the training of Rogério1972 – 1989
Trained under Moraes. Started capoeira in Rio de Janeiro in 1972, titled mestre 1989. Training period 17 years. Exact nature of training relationship not specified in sources.
Moraes guided the training of Angolinha1970s –
Met Moraes in the 1970s and participated in the founding era of GCAP. Moraes was in Rio 1970-1982 establishing the first Capoeira Angola school outside Bahia.
Moraes guided the training of Laércio1984 –
GCFA was invited by Cobra Mansa to join GCAP with Moraes. From Moraes, GCFA learned the cultural and musical value of the roots of Capoeira Angola.
Teacher of10
Moraes teacher of Zé Carlos1973 –
Began training with Mestre Moraes in Rio de Janeiro in 1973, shortly after Moraes arrived from Salvador for military service. Part of the core group that would become the first mestres of Capoeira Angola formed outside Bahia.
Moraes teacher of Cobra Mansa1974 –
Primary teacher relationship. Cobra Mansa saw Moraes play in the Roda of Central Brazil in 1974 and became his student. Received mestre title from Moraes in 1986. Followed Moraes to Belo Horizonte (1979) and Salvador (1981).
Verified[9]- [9]Mestre Cobra Mansa, lalaue.com(accessed 2 November 2026)
In 1974 Cobra Mansa became a student of Mestre Moraes after he saw Moraes play in the Roda of Central Brazil.
- [9]Mestre Cobra Mansa, lalaue.com(accessed 2 November 2026)
Moraes teacher of NecoJuly 1975 –
Neco began training with Moraes at Clube Gurilandia, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, part of the July 1975 cohort that included Braga, Peçanha (Cobra Mansa), Mano, and others. Moraes emphasized the Angola tradition he learned from Pastinha through João Grande and João Pequeno.
Moraes teacher of Marco AurélioJuly 1975 – 1982
Primary teacher. Began training ~July 1975 at Clube Gurilandia in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro. Continued until Moraes returned to Salvador in 1982.
Moraes teacher of Braga5 July 1975 –
Began training with Moraes on July 5, 1975 at Clube Gurilandia, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro. This was the pivotal turning point in Braga's evolution toward Capoeira Angola. He was among the initial cohort of students including Peçanha (Cobra Mansa), Mano, Agostinho.
Moraes teacher of Jurandir Nascimento1970s –
Jurandir was one of the pioneers of GCAP and trained under Mestre Moraes. He started capoeira in 1970, likely training in Rio de Janeiro where Moraes was based. Sources confirm he was part of the core GCAP group alongside Moraes, Cobra Mansa, and others. Exact start date of training with Moraes unknown.
Moraes teacher of Valmir1982 – 1994
Primary teacher at GCAP from 1982 until Valmir left in 1994
Moraes teacher of Paulinha1982 – 1995
Moraes teacher of Poloca1983 – 1995
Primary teacher at GCAP Salvador, 1983–1995; Poloca rose to contramestre under Moraes.
Moraes teacher of Janja1983 – 1995
Duplicate of the committed corpus statement (verified). No change needed beyond the optional 1983/1995 dates.
3
Associated with3
Moraes was associated with Wilson Sereno1970s –
CapoeiraHub states that Wilson Sereno "taught in Rio at Casa Marinheiro, a place that Mestre Moraes also frequented." This connection places Wilson Sereno at an important early venue for Capoeira Angola in Rio de Janeiro during the formative years before GCAP's founding in 1980.
Moraes was associated with Santana1992 –
Mestre Santana participated alongside Mestre Moraes in the first Spring Encounter in Salzburg, Austria (1992).
Moraes was associated with Camisa1992 –
Participated together in the first Spring Encounter in Salzburg, Austria (1992), organized by Camisa Roxa. Event included Camisa, Moraes, and Mestre Santana.
5
Trained in: Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
c. 1958 –
Taught in: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1970 –
Active in: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
16 December 1978 –
Lived in: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
1982 –
Taught in: Bahia, Brazil
period not recorded
- 27
- statements
- 25
- · 93%
- with a source
- 2
- without a source
- 0
- disputed
Relations by confidence
- Verified: 21
- Likely: 6
Sources cited
- [1]Notas (Mestre Braga's account) ×8cited 8 times
- [2]angolangolo.com.br: english ×2cited 2 times
- [3]casadobrada.wordpress.com: mestre rogerio en ×2cited 2 times
- [4]clinicadecapoeira.wordpress.com: mestres ×2cited 2 times
- [5]lalaue.com: mestre moraes ×3cited 3 times
- [6]capoeira.online: mestre moraes ×2cited 2 times
- [7]https://aprendercomcapoeira.wordpress.com/fotos/oficina-de-capoeira-com-mestre-angolinha-rj/ ×1cited 1 time
- [8]filhosdeangola.eu: biografie ×1cited 1 time
- [9]Mestre Cobra Mansa, lalaue.com ×1cited 1 time
- [10]ficahawaii.org: mestre jurandir ×1cited 1 time
- [11]gecasp.wordpress.com: about ×1cited 1 time
- [12]lalaue.com: mestre valmir ×1cited 1 time
- [13]gruponzingaatlanta.wixsite.com: our teachers ×2cited 2 times
- [14]mandingueira.ca: female mestres ×1cited 1 time
- [15]pt.wikipedia.org: mestra paulinha ×1cited 1 time
- [16]mandingueira.ca: ie viva meu mestra part 5 mestra janja ×1cited 1 time
- [17]pt.wikipedia.org: mestra janja ×1cited 1 time
- [18]capoeirahub.net: 693dbe24de8a6d001517e9fe mestre wilson sereno ×1cited 1 time
- [19]Featured: Mestre Camisa Roxa, Velhos Mestres ×1cited 1 time