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Roots Capoeira de Ouro Community Capoeira in Des Moines, IA
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Our Roots

The lineage behind Roots Capoeira.

Roots Capoeira de Ouro carries forward a tradition shaped by teachers, community, Afro-Brazilian culture, music, movement, and service.

Contra Mestre Xara

Mestre Xara

Mestre Xara

December 8, 1980 to January 1, 2013

Mestre Xara (Mauro de Freitas Valadao) was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and was a student of Mestre Chicote. He started playing Capoeira in 1994 in community groups located in Unai, Minas Gerais, Brazil. At the age of 17 he moved to Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, and began training with group Raizes - Cordao de Ouro led under the instruction of Mestre Chicote.

In 2000, Xara was entrusted with leading the teachings of the group Raizes - Cordao de Ouro in Patos de Minas when Mestre Chicote moved to the United States. In 2004, Mestre Xara began his international work sharing and teaching Capoeira and relocated with his wife, Monitora Caju, to Des Moines, Iowa. In 2009, his teachings and groups expanded to Long Beach and Los Angeles, California, and Costa Rica.

Xara dedicated his life to promoting and sharing Capoeira across the United States and around the world. His Capoeira teaching and life philosophy focused on preserving and promoting Afro-Brazilian culture through inspirational professional instruction and performance of Capoeira, Brazilian dance, and music.

Using traditional Brazilian arts as a medium, Mestre Xara sought to inspire and empower people of all ages to realize their full potential as responsible, confident, healthy, and productive citizens. Through his experience and study with Mestre Chicote and many other Mestres, he believed in a Capoeira practice and philosophy that moves forward with one foot in the past and one foot in the future, maintaining Capoeira traditions while adapting to worldly and societal changes.

Mestre Xara was taken too early from this world and passed away on January 1, 2013, from a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and many Capoeira students, friends, and teachers.

Mestre Duas Duzias demonstrating capoeira

Mestre Duas Duzias

Mestre Duas Duzias

Mestre Duas Duzias (Cristiano Viana da Silva) began practicing Capoeira in 1992 in Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. In 1996, he joined the Raizes Cordao de Ouro group under Instructor Mingau, a student of Mestre Ze Paulo. After Mingau's departure in 1998, Duas Duzias continued his training with Mestre Ze Paulo and Mestre Suassuna.

He eventually took over leadership of the group in Vicosa and launched social projects in schools and academies. In 2007, he moved to Honolulu to lead Cordao de Ouro Hawaii, teaching in universities, schools, and cultural institutions while participating in events across more than 13 U.S. states.

In 2010, he was recognized as Professor by Mestre Suassuna at Mestre Acordeon's academy, and in 2011 he was awarded the title of Contra-Mestre. He returned to Brazil the same year, continuing his work in Vicosa while maintaining international ties. From 2013 onward, he traveled extensively for workshops and events in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

In 2018, he was awarded the title of Mestre at Capoeirando in Ilheus, Bahia. Today, Mestre Duas Duzias remains active in both Vicosa and Honolulu, guiding Capoeira communities and promoting its cultural legacy worldwide.