History / Muzenza Group & Mestre Burguês

Founding and Leadership

Grupo Muzenza was founded in May 1972 by Mestre Paulão in Rio de Janeiro. In 1975, leadership passed to Antonio Carlos de Menezes, known as Mestre Burguês, who relocated the headquarters to Curitiba. Under his direction, the group evolved from a local school into an international powerhouse, now present in over 20 countries and nearly every Brazilian state.

Philosophy and Global Impact

Muzenza is renowned for its technical discipline, balancing the rhythmic strategy of Capoeira Angola with the explosive agility of Capoeira Regional. Mestre Burguês has been instrumental in professionalizing the art, co-founding the Brazilian Capoeira Confederation and producing over 20 albums of capoeira music. His work ensures that the group functions as both a rigorous martial art and a vehicle for preserving Afro-Brazilian cultural history.

History / Music & Instruments

Bateria

An ensemble of instruments that provide the rhythmic foundation for the game. The bateria sets the pace, energy, and mood of the roda, guiding both the movements of the players and the singing of the chorus.

A traditional capoeira bateria is typically composed of berimbaus (which lead the rhythm), atabaque, pandeiro, and sometimes agogô or reco-reco. Each instrument plays a specific role in shaping the dynamic flow of the game.

History / Cords & Graduation