The Bantu Cultural Institute is a non-profit, registered charity organization which operates in Brazil, Australia and the Philippines. Its mission is to utilize the music, movements and play of capoeira angola to help equip youth with the skills to better deal with situations of poverty, trauma, and violence that are the result of social inequality. BANTU’s methodology is grounded on “learning to learn” and “learning by teaching”, allowing youth to recognize themselves as a source of knowledge and to acquire skills to better deal with daily struggles and challenges. The rich history, music and movements of capoeira angola, promotes pride in African heritage, instill feelings of belonging and promote personal and social transformation.
Mestre Roxinho
“To lead others you must first lead yourself” – Mestre Roxinho
The Bantu Cultural Institute was founded in Bahia, Brazil in 2006 by Edielson Miranda, better known in the capoeira angola world as Mestre Roxinho. Mestre Roxinho was born in 1968 on Itaparica Island in Bahia, Brazil. When he was a young boy his family lost their home, and Mestre Roxinho found himself living and working on the streets of Bahia’s capital, Salvador. At this time he was introduced to capoeira which he credits with transforming his life. He has spent seventeen years abroad bringing capoeira to youth living in refugee camps and other difficult situations in Angola, Australia and the Philippines. Today he dedicates his time to overseeing the continuing work of the Institute in these countries as well as the Institute’s work with youth living in extreme situations of poverty and violence in his hometown on Itaparica Island.
Bantu initiatives:
