Mestre Nenel (Manoel Nascimento Machado), born on September 26, 1960, in Salvador, Bahia, is one of the leading figures in the preservation and promotion of Capoeira Regional, the style created by his father, Mestre Bimba. He is the son of Mestre Bimba, the pioneer of Capoeira Regional, and Berenice da Conceição Nascimento, and was raised by Alice Maria da Cruz, affectionately known as Mãe Alice.

From a young age, Mestre Nenel was immersed in the world of Capoeira, spending much of his childhood at his father's Capoeira school, the Centro de Cultural Física Regional, where he began practicing and later graduated in 1967 alongside his siblings. His father, Mestre Bimba, revolutionized Capoeira by positioning it as an educational tool that could help children become respected adults, which was a radical departure from Capoeira's association with the marginalized and poor, predominantly Black population at the time.

In 1972, Mestre Bimba relocated to Goiânia in the state of Goiás, which was a difficult moment for many of his followers in Bahia, as Mestre Bimba was seen as a national hero. Unfortunately, Mestre Bimba passed away on February 5, 1974, and his students, while continuing to teach Capoeira, began to adapt and modify Capoeira Regional, losing much of its original form. For a while, no one fully embraced Mestre Bimba's teachings.

Mestre Nenel, like many of his siblings, had to work in various jobs to make a living. However, in 1975, he felt a strong call to return to Capoeira. He moved to Brasília, where he founded the Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba Filho, marking the beginning of his serious commitment to Capoeira.

In 1977, Mestre Nenel returned to Bahia, where he started competing in Capoeira championships and performing in folkloric shows. However, he continued working various jobs until 1984, when he was invited to teach at Mestre Moise Sucuiba’s academy. This period was transformative for him, as he began to nurture his desire to create an academy that would fully preserve and promote his father’s work. This vision was realized on June 10, 1986, when he founded the Filhos de Bimba – Associação de Capoeira in the neighborhood of Amaralina. In 1998, the academy’s name was changed to Filhos de Bimba – Escola de Capoeira, reflecting a deeper commitment to preserving Capoeira as a school of tradition and knowledge.

In 1989, Mestre Nenel became involved in an educational project at the School of Arts and Trades, where he transferred his academy. During this time, former students of Mestre Bimba rallied around him to help preserve the original teachings of Capoeira Regional. Mestre Nenel’s work gained significant recognition both in Brazil and internationally, as he became a reference point for Capoeira Regional and a respected figure in the Capoeira community.

Today, Mestre Nenel’s legacy is deeply embedded in the history and future of Capoeira, and his dedication to his father’s teachings has contributed immensely to the global spread and respect of Capoeira Regional. Through his academy, workshops, and participation in international events, he continues to ensure that the traditions and values of Mestre Bimba are preserved for future generations.