Vicente Ferreira Pastinha (Mestre Pastinha)
Postby admin on Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:28 am
Mestre Pashtinha (Vicente Ferreira Pastinha) was borned in 1889 in Salvador, Brazil. His trainings in capoeira he began in age of 8 years. His teacher was African by name Benedito (Benedito), who nickname was 'Velho Africano'. In obedience to history, Benedito saw that an eight-year boy is offended by senior boys, and suggested to teach him some receptions, to repulse offenders. A result result appears in very short time: at the next meeting Pashtinha gave a deserving rebuff offenders. After this case Pashtinha began to study an art of capoeira. He was taught by his teacher every day in a 10 years. About efficiency of employments can witness that fact what in the age of 16 Pashtinha worked as a bouncer in a gaming-house.
Starting from the age of 18 years, Pashtinha for the 8 years served on the Brazilian navy. It was related to the desire of his father which did not support his son's styding of capoeira. In times of service Pashtinha had time to see a great deal, make attempt itself in many professions (mason, house-painter, postman etc.) and take enough experience. But the best employment which acording to his words was the most interesting for him, was the teaching of capoeira and maintainance of its ancient traditions. He considered a capoeira as the forefather of all martial arts of Brazil. From the beginning he taught the capoeira to the colleagues on work, sea-folk, for the 12 years . Abandoning a fleet in 1910, Pashtinha continued the activity as a teacher of capoeira. Large experience and level of education allowed him easily and naturally to teach traditions of capoeira. After 20 years of practice in a capoeira, he opened his first school. The office of this school was disposed in a bicycle club which was on the area of Cruise of the Are Francisco. In this place his academy existed from 1910 to 1922.
Style of capoeira, which taught Mestre Pashtinha was named Capoeira Angola. In a difference from style of Capoeira Regional, style which taught Mestre Pashtinha underlined traditional character anymore, including playing and sacral approach to the capoeira, in which maximal co-operation between participants is possible. Pashtinha aimed to return a capoeira former approach. Therefore, style of Capoeira Angola is usually correlated with a traditional capoeira. The term of 'Angola' on most versions comes from the word of N'golo - name of dance which underlay capoeira. Although some assert that this term originates from the name of country Angola from which plenty of slaves were taken out.
Pastinha predilection for aphorisms gained him nickname 'philosopher of capoeira'. One of his favourite utterances was 'Capoeira - for everyone: men, women and children. Not able to learn only whose, who don't want it. As well as Bimba he was well acquainted with the philosophy of capoeira and constantly carried with itself a small knife, sharpened both-side. 'If there was the third verge, I would sharpen it for those, who wishes me wicked', - he often talked.
In 1941 Pashtinha opened the new academy of capoeira on the area of Pelourinho in a house under a number 19, naming its 'Academy of Capoeira Angola'. In realization of his dream he was helped actively by master Amorzinho, who offered him this place. Pastinha was the first who entered uniform in a capoeira. His academy used yellow shirts and black trousers. This was the colors of Pashtinha's favourite soccer team.
With the time Pashtinha became popular. He got a lot of invitations on prezentrations of his group in other states of Brazil. In such states as Foi ao Rio, Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sur he was very often. Culmination of those presentations was the invitation from Ministry of the Foreign affairs of Brazil for participating in delegation which presented Brazil on 'First International Festival de Artes Negras' ('First International Festival of Negro Art') which took place in Dakar, Africa, in April, 1966.
In 1964 master Pashtinha is through his friend, writer Jorge Amado (Zhorzhe Amadu), wrote a book 'Capoeira Angola' and wrote down an album 'Capoeira of angola - Mestre Pashtinha and his Academy'. Unfortunately, authorities closed his academy, because of repair in Largo do Pelourinho, to the old fortress where his school was. After repair, in place of school there were opened a restaurant. Pashtinha was prmised to get him a new school, but authorities did not restrain the word given by them so. As well as many masters, in spite of the fame and popularity of Pashtinha in 1981, abandoned all, lived so long his life in blindness and poverty. He died in town Bahia, in the center of ancient cradle of Capoeira. Subsequent to his death, his students continued teaching of style 'Capoeira Angola' all over the world. Among these students were also Zhoao Grandzhe (João Grande) and Zhoao Pekeno (João Pequeno).
