Every November, ABADÁ-Capoeira hosts ZUMBIMBA, one of the most significant events for the global ABADÁ community, in Rio de Janeiro. If you can’t make it to Brazil, you can still experience a taste of it this month by training with us here in San Francisco.
The ZUMBIMBA celebration began in 1991 under the Association of the Sons of Bimba (Filhos de Bimba, Bahia). It takes place in November to honor two important dates in Afro-Brazilian history: Dia da Consciência Negra (National Black Consciousness Day) on November 20, which marks the death of Zumbi dos Palmares in 1695—an iconic figure in the struggle against slavery in Brazil—and the birthdate of Mestre Bimba on November 23, 1900. Mestre Bimba was the creator of Capoeira Regional and the teacher of Mestre Camisa, the founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira worldwide.
ZUMBIMBA involves the study of Mestre Bimba’s eight sequences, designed to enhance the learning process of his students. In San Francisco, we will focus on various applications of these sequences throughout November.
ZUMBIMBA is also an opportunity for students of ABADÁ-Capoeira to come together, share knowledge, and reaffirm our group’s roots. Capoeiristas from around the world attend ZUMBIMBA to learn from Mestre Camisa, reconnect with the community, and find inspiration.
If you aren’t traveling to Brazil for this year’s event, we hope you will join us in class to learn more!