Vicente Ferreira Pastinha
Vicente Ferreira Pastinha ( born April 5, 1889 in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, † November 13, 1981 ) was a Brazilian martial artist.
Mestre ( Master ) Pastinha is known as the founder of Capoeira de Angola, the " African " style of martial art Capoeira. Pastinha has very significantly contributed to the development of this style at a time, was banned in the Capoeira nor by the law.
Even today lives a student of his, Mestre João Grande which now passes on his knowledge in New York. Mestre João Pequeno, also a student of Mestre Pastinha, passed away on December 9, 2011 in Bahia.
The formative years
Mestre Pastinha began Capoeira at the age of 8 years by an African named Benedito learn. For this purpose there is a small story, an older and stronger boy from Pastinha neighborhood had often beat him. One day Benedito saw this and asked Pastinha to come to his house, where he 'll teach him some things. He enjoined him not to provoke his opponent, but his fighting skills to hide as much as possible. At the next meeting with the boys Pastinha said to have defeated him so quickly that the older boy became his admirer.
Mestre Pastinha had a happy and comfortable childhood. In the morning, he attended painting classes at the Art School Liceu de Artes e oficio; during the afternoons he played with kites and learned capoeira. He led his training with Benedito continue for three years.
At his father's request, he later attended a sailor Academy. He therefore could not continue his training, but brought to the school his friends in Capoeira. At the age of 21 he left school to a full-time to become a painter. In his spare time he has continued to train Capoeira in secret, as it was at this time in Brazil is still illegal.
The Capoeira Angola
Mestre Pastinha took in 1941, at the invitation of Aberrê - his former students - following, on a Sunday Roda ( Capoeira competition ) at the " Ladeira do Gengibirra " in the district " Liberdade " part. It is continually were the best masters to be found.
Aberrê had long been famous these Rodas and after Pastinha had spent an afternoon there, asked him one of the best masters of Bahia, Mestre Amorzinho, if he would teach Capoeira Angola. As a result, founded Pastinha 1942, the first Capoeira Angola school, the " Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola " in the Pelourinho district. His students wore black pants and yellow T -shirts, the same colors that used the " Ypiranga Futebol Clube ", Pastinha 's favorite club.
He took the Brazilian delegation at the " First International Festival de Artes Negras " in Dakar ( Senegal), in part. This festival also Mestre João Grande, Mestre Gato Preto, Mestre Gildo Alfi Nete, Mestre Roberto Satanás and Camafeu de Oxossi were there.
The last years
Pastinha worked as a shoe shiner, tailor, gold prospector, Bouncer ( leão de chácara ) a casino and construction workers on the Porto de Salvador to secure his financial livelihood. So he could be what he wanted most: a Angoleiro.
Pastinha, old, ill and nearly completely blind, was asked by the administration to leave his house for renovation. But it was never asked him again available - restaurant and business was instead put in it. Pastinha died a broken man in bitterness about his treatment. At the end Pastinha was at a homeless shelter quartered ( Abrigo D. Pedro II - Salvador da Bahia). He ended his life lonely. On April 12, 1981, he competed in the roda for the last time.
Mestre Pastinha died at the age of 92 years on 13 November 1981. Only one of his best students is left Mestre João Grande passes on his legacy in New York. The last previously surviving students, Mestre João Pequeno, passed away on December 9, 2011 in Bahia. Dr. C. Daniel Dawson later in his book " Capoeira Angola and Mestre João Grande " written " Pastinha was a brilliant Capoeirista, the game can be characterized by its agility, speed and intelligence (...). Pastinha wanted his students the application, philosophy and tradition of pure Capoeira Angola understand. According to him, "I practice the true Capoeira Angola and in my school, students are taught to be honest and fair. This is the law of Angola. I learned it from my grandfather. It is the law of loyalty. The Capoeira Angola that I learned - I have not changed in my school ... When my students take things a little, then go for it in such a way that they want to know all about it. You know it; this is fight, this is cunning. We need to stay calm. It's not offensive combat. Capoeira is waiting (...) The good capoeirista must be able to sing, play Capoeira and the instruments of Capoeira can play "