Mestra Janja, born Rosângela Costa Araújo on October 4, 1959, in Feira de Santana, Bahia, is a distinguished historian, educator, and Capoeira Angola mestre. Her journey in Capoeira began in 1983 when she started training with the renowned Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP) in Salvador, Bahia. Mestra Janja quickly became known for her dedication to Capoeira and her role in advancing the art form, eventually becoming a contramestra.

In 1995, Mestra Janja moved to São Paulo, where she continued her journey and founded the Grupo Nzinga, an important group that furthered her influence and engagement with Capoeira and its deep cultural roots. In 2001, she expanded her reach by establishing the Instituto Nzinga de Estudos da Capoeira Angola e Tradições Educativas Banto no Brasil, an institution dedicated to researching and preserving Bantu traditions while promoting educational and social initiatives tied to Capoeira.

Mestra Janja's influence extends beyond Capoeira, as she has spent much of her career working on issues of racism, sexism, and gender equality. Her work has included advocacy for the role of women in Capoeira and African culture, and she has been a prominent voice in the conversation surrounding the preservation of Afro-Brazilian traditions. In 2017, she was invited to speak at the 20th Anniversary Women's Conference in Washington, D.C., celebrating the contributions of women to Capoeira Angola.

As a scholar, Mestra Janja holds a degree in History from the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), and she went on to earn a master's and doctoral degree in Education from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Her academic career led her to become the coordinator of the Department of Women at the Secretaria de Promoção da Igualdade in the State of Bahia. Later, she served as a professor in the Department of Gender and Feminist Studies at UFBA. Her academic endeavors have been complemented by her published works, including the book É Preta Kalunga: A Capoeira Angola como Prática Política entre os Angoleiros Baianos – Anos 80-90, which delves into the political and social role of Capoeira Angola in Bahia.

In addition to her academic work, Mestra Janja has traveled extensively, including two visits to Japan since 2014, where she shared her expertise in Capoeira.

A passionate advocate for Afro-Brazilian culture, education, and social change, Mestra Janja remains an influential figure in the Capoeira community. Her dedication to Capoeira Angola and her scholarly work continues to inspire countless students and practitioners both in Brazil and around the world.