T.A.B.C.A.T.

Tribo Afro Bahiana de Capoeira Angola Tradicional

Our organization, Centro da Tribo Afro Bahiana de Capoeira Angola Tradicional, was founded in the streets of Bahia, Brazil.

T.A.B.C.A.T. was founded in the year 1959 by Mestre João Bodeiro of Serrinha, Brasil, a student of Mestre Nonó of Mozambique. Mestre João Bodeiro later passed the school to Mestre José Vicente Dantas (1923–2007), who in turn passed it to his son MESTRE CABOQUINHO in 1997.

Since the beginning we have strived to work with underserved communities to develop comprehensive programs around Afro-Brazilian art-forms. These programs are focused on developing “life skills” for different communities.  We also support the work of Afro-Brazilian artists residing in the U.S and other parts of the world.

(T.A.B.C.A.T.) - Chicago is an non for profit based in Little Village, Chicago under the leadership of Treinel Camacho.

Our Mestre (Master Artist and Performer)

Mestre Caboquinho director of T.A.B.C.A.T., is a native of Salvador, Bahia has been practicing and teaching Capoeira for over 35 years.  He received his graduation of mastery in Capoeira Angola in 1989 and has established schools all over the U.S.

 He has performed in a variety of Afro-Brazilian dance troupes starting when he was 17 years of age.  He has performed with famous performance troupes including Oba Oba, Viva Bahia, Ile Aiye and on Broadway.

"I have had four Mestres: my father, Jose Vicente Dantas; Mestre Alfonsinho, filho de YoYo da Policia Civil; Mestre Curio, Jaime Martins dos Santos; and my city, Salvador, Bahia.

Today I live in Detroit, Michigan to protect Capoeira Angola, to make my tribe grow and to teach my roots. I will continue to teach Capoeira Angola with my heart and I will stop only when Deus tells me."

 -Words of Afro Brazilian Mestre Caboquinho.-

Our Mestra  (Master of the Art)

Mestra Rapidinha through hear continuous growth and hard work, is one of the leading women in preserving the roots of Capoeira Angola as a tradition.  As one of the few women who have achieved the level of Mestra in the Capoeira Angola, she has been at the forefront in preserving the beauty and strength that are found in this art form and continues to be example of leadership and equality for both women and men.

Mestre Caboquinho of Bahia, Brazil presenting an 

Afro-Brazilian folkloric dance.