Brother Jason Lee Byrd ("Rasta de Faca")
If you were to ask Ten Capoeira practitioners the question "what is Capoeira", you would probably get One Hundred different answers. But, for me, the answer is simple. Capoeira de Angola is an African Martial Science, not created by slaves but rather passed down and utilized by enslaved Africans as a tool towards Liberation and Freedom.
I am called "Brother Jason". I am the current Cultivator in Pastinh's Garden where we only grow Traditional Cpoeira called "Capoeira de Angola". My linage begins with an African named Benedito. The story is that after seeing Vicente beaten up by an older and stronger bully, Benedito offered to teach him "something of great value"... That encounter produced the most revered Capoeirista and the Father of our lineage, Mestre Pastinha.
Mestre Vicente Ferreira Pastinha produced Two (2) Capoeiras of note: Joao Grande (or "Big John" in English) and Joao Pequeno (or "Little John" in English)… He said of them: "They will be the greatest Capoira players of the future..." He said that "They will be true Mestres. Not just impromptu teachers, as can be found everywhere…"
Mestre Joao Grande taught my Professor, Ed "Cubano" Martin between the years of 1989 up until 1995. He said "that which my teacher gave to me, I will give to you." And, over that 6 year period, Mestre Joao Grande instructed Cubano in the Traditional Capoeira de Angola Curriculum.
I met my teacher/professor/friend, Heriberto "Cubano" Martin in 1996 and became an initiate in this ancient African Science. I have been studying Capoeira de Angola for over 20 years now and I have a mission and responsibility to pass on that Traditional curriculum which has been shared with me.