Capoeira ACDP Australia is an Afro-Brazilian martial arts school and cultural centre located in Brighton, Victoria, Australia. The school aims to teach and promote Capoeira, an art form that involves sport, body expression, music, and tradition. Capoeira promotes mutual respect and inclusion between diverse individuals and communities, as well as the memory of resistance to historical oppression.
Capoeira, pronounced as /kper/, is a tupi-guaran word that translates to “cut bush” in English. It is a form of cultural practise that originated in Brazil and has been recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2014. The essence of Capoeira lies in its combination of martial arts techniques, acrobatics, music, and dance. It is often played in a “roda de Capoeira,” which is a circle where participants engage in a friendly and strategic exchange.
Capoeira ACDP Australia is affiliated with the “Associao de Capoeira Descendente do Pantera” (ACDP) that was founded in 1973 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Mestre Pantera. The name “Pantera” was given as a tribute to the Black Panthers, a group that played a significant role in resistance movements during the Brazilian dictatorship. ACDP was established to create an association that would allow Mestre Pantera to participate in championships organised by the Boxing Federation of Rio de Janeiro.
Contramestre Camaleo, also known as Damiano Spina, is the main teacher at Capoeira ACDP Australia. He was born in La Plata, Argentina, and began his Capoeira journey in Madrid, Spain, in 1999, under the guidance of Mestre Pantera. Camaleo has assisted his Mestre in various classes, workshops, and performances for both children and adults. In 2012, he received his “cordel azul” (Aluno Formado), a recognised level of achievement in Capoeira, from Mestre Poeira at Centro Cultural “Itineranti” in Padre Miguel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since moving to Melbourne in 2015, he has been teaching Capoeira in the southern suburbs. In 2022, Camaleo received his “cordel tranado verde-amarelo-azul” (Contramestre) from his Mestre Pantera in Valls, Tarragona, Spain.
In addition to his Capoeira expertise, Contramestre Camaleo is also a skilled vocalist and percussionist. He is an integral member of the samba band Wombatuque. Outside of Capoeira, he holds a PhD in Computer Science and works as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher.
Capoeira ACDP Australia welcomes individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds to join their classes. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced practitioner wanting to refine your skills, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment. With a focus on preserving the rich cultural heritage of Capoeira, Capoeira ACDP Australia offers a unique opportunity to engage in a dynamic and expressive martial art.