ABOUT
  - PROF. KIKI DA BAHIA

Professor Kiki da Bahia was born in Bahia, Brazil in September 24, 1972. He has been doing Capoeira for over 24 years. He began studying Capoeira with his father and his uncle at the age of 9. Kiki's Father, Nenei, studied Capoeira under Mestre Salario Minimo (Master Minimum Wage), who was a student of Mestre Bimba. Kiki's uncle, Domingos, learned Capoeira in the streets of Bahia, Brazil.

In 1986, Kiki began training Capoeira directly under Mestre Itapoan, the founder of Grupo Ginga Asssociação de Capoeira Regional. Kiki was to be Mestre Itapoans' last direct student. Grupo Ginga in New York continues to operate under Mestre Itapoan's tutelage.

Kiki began doing Capoeira, dance and percussion with several Afro-Brazilian carnival groups, including Malê de Balê, Zumbi dos Palmares, Asas da Liberdade and Ilê Aiyê. With Ilê Aiyê, Kiki toured five continent playing percussion. And as a Capoeiraista, Kiki da Bahia has performed at New Yorks’ Lincoln Center, Martha Graham Theater, Prospect Park Theater and, on ABC News and the reality show, Blind Date.

Since arriving in the United States in 1995, Professor Kiki has been a teacher and representative of Grupo Ginga and has been teaching at various schools throughout New York City. Through the Caribbean Cultural Center, Guardian Riverside and The Board of Education, Professor Kiki has taught at various public after school programs. Recently, with the help of Professor Kiki, The Pennington School (a prestigious private school), has become the first school to have Capoeira as part of its school curriculum with sports credit. He has taught Afro-Brazilian dance in New York at The Movement Salon, Dance Forum, Axé Brazil Dance Company and worked with children at Batutu Yeto.

Recently, Professor Kiki da Bahia, became a member and international representative of the ABPC (Associação Brasileiros dos Professores de Capoeira). Professor Kiki da Bahia organizes an annual Summer event bringing American students of Capoeira to Brazil enabling them to get a greater understanding of traditional Capoeira Regional and the culture surrounding it.