MESTRE CAMISA
Mestre Camisa, born José Tadeu Cardoso, is the founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira. He began training with Mestre Bimba at a very young age. He subsequently began teaching capoeira in Rio de Janeiro based on the teachings of Mestre Bimba, until his style became truly unique – widely known and respected for skillfulness, technicality, innovation, and dedication to traditions.
In 1988, Mestre Camisa formed ABADÁ-Capoeira. In Portuguese, the ABADÁ acronym stands for Associação Brasileira de Apoio e Desenvolvimento da Arte-Capoeira.
In English, this is translated as “The Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira.” Mestre Camisa has had immense impact on modern Capoeira, bringing it from the old masters in Brazil to an evolving art spreadingspreading throughout the world. Capoeira is now an internationally-respected art of grace and strength known for its unique combination of ritual, self-defense, acrobatics and music in a rhythmic dialogue of the body, mind, and spirit.
