Mestre Gegê

Because Mestre Gegê is a special guest teacher at the 11th Batizado and Troca de Cordas of Aldeia Capoeira
on 11,12 and 13 November 2011, I've put up a small biography about him.


Mestre Gegê

Mestre Gegê was born as Geraldo Costa Filho in Maragojipe, Bahia, the 9th of April 1948.
His first experience with capoeira and Afro-Brazilian culture was through Mestre Sete.
Mestre Sete learned capoeira from Mestre Onça Preta and 'Rafael' (Mestre Cobrinha Verde).


Rouxinol interviewing Mestre Sete

In Salvador he got to know several masters of capoeira including Mestre Waldemar with whom he learned to fabricate painted berimbaus


Mestre Gegê and Mestre Waldemar

In 1965 he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he started capoeira in Caxias short after.
Together with Mestre Barbosa he is considered one of the pioneers of theneighbourhood Caxias in Rio de Janeiro.
In Rio de Janeiro he trained with a student of Mestre Caiçara: Mestre Fernandinho, famous for his solid game and acrobatics including his high speed relogio.
When Fernandinho left Rio de Janeiro touring with a Brazilian Folclore show in Europe, Mestre Gegê afiliated to the group Guaiamuns Nagôs of Mestre Zé Pedro who held his famous roda in Bonsuccesso.


Mestres Artur Emídio, Djalma Bandeira, Preguiça, Gegê and Zé Pedro

Afterwards he created his own group Grupo Maragojipe de Capoeira and traveling in the capoeira world, he got known by many masters.

Mestres Camaleão, Gegê, Cobrinha Mansa, Silas and Peixinho

Mestre Gegê has written many songs and had an own unique style of singing. With his songs he often tells stories about capoeira in the past, thus spreading capoeira history and traditions.


Mestres Valdenor, Paulo dos Anjos, Gato Preto and Mestre Gegê

Specializing further in history he studied and obtained a university degree in History in Rio de Janeiro

Many of his songs are recorded in the LPs and CDs of Muzenza capoeira.
He also made a CD together with Mestre Paulão, the founder of Grupo Muzenza.

Below are some videos of Mestre Gegê singing

The song: Waldemar da Paixão	The song: O amor do marinheiro

Mestre Gegê has travelled the world with capoeira visiting several countries, including Portugal, England and Australia.


Mestre Gegê together with the Minister of Culture of Australia

In 2007 I've got to know Mestre Gegê while researching the older capoeira masters of Rio de Janeiro.
He has known many of the old masters in both Rio and Bahia and is one of the very few capoeira Masters that teaches capoeira lessons on a weekly basis and also researches capoeira.
During the event he will give two lectures, one about capoeira in Bahia and one about capoeira in Rio de Janeiro. He will also give a music lessons to pass on some of his many songs.

(Fotos: Arquive of Mestre Gegê)