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About Mestrando Jamaika

Jamaika is from Northeastern Brazil--the area where Capoeira originated. He began training when he was ten years old. When he was fifteen, a capoeira master saw his talent and invited him to train with him in another area of Brazil. He became a member of Mestre Loka's group, Capuraginga. With Mestre Loka, Jamaika traveled all over Brazil to train and compete.

In 1996, 1997, and 1998 Jamaika won the Brazilian Capoeira Confederation Championship-the biggest Capoeira competition in Brazil. In 1997 he received the title of "Professor" in capoeira, certifying him to teach. In 1999, Jamaika was invited to teach in Israel where he lived for six months. That same year, he was invited to teach in the United States and has been here since. He has given and continues to give workshops all over the United States, Brazil, and Israel.

In September 2004, Jamaika was awarded the title of "Mestrando" by Mestre Loka with Mestres Amen Santo, Demetrius and Elias in attendance. The title of "Mestrando" in CapuraGinga is the rank just below Mestre or Master of Capoeira, a title that takes nearly 20 years of continuous capoeira training and special testing to acquire.

Jamaika currently lives in Salt Lake City where he teaches and performs. He has extensive experience as a teacher, performer, and musician and would like to continue to reach people through this multi-faceted martial art.