Francisco de Assis — Mestre Gigante (Bigodinho, Pequenininho)
4 October 1920 — 30 May 2016 • Santo Amaro → Salvador

In the Angola roda he was Bigodinho. In Regional circles he was Gigante. The elders sometimes called him Pequenininho. The nicknames tell you the story before the story. Small in height, big in game, always unmistakable once the berimbau began to speak.

Born in Santo Amaro and raised in the currents of Bahia’s capoeira, Francisco de Assis began in a backyard in Barra with Mestre Cobrinha Verde. He later studied with Mestre Pastinha, then “changed the party” and trained at Mestre Bimba’s academy. He was close with Menino Gordo and was often mistaken for him. Teaching came early. He gave classes at the Seminário Central, then opened Academia Capoeira São Gonçalo at Rodrigues Ferreira 226 in Federação. Sundays often found him at the rodas of Lar das Pombas, and many afternoons at rodas in Barra and Jardim Baiano.

Musically he left a clear signature. He created the berimbau rhythm “Cinco Salomão,” a pattern he said was made for the miudinho game. Low. On the ground. Elegant work done inches from the floor. He was also a sharp story-singer, a lover of the seresta, never far from a guitar when it was time to sing and remember.

His presence was documented again and again. The 1950s photos of Pierre Verger and Marcel Gautherot. Images with Pastinha in 1964. The 1968 film series Dança de Guerra, where he appears both in the bateria and in the game. The program O Pulo do Gato in 1980. A long interview in 2006 by Francisco Canindé. The 2007 album O Canto do Berimbauman. He also appeared in the film The Bandits, adding cinema to a life already rich with music and movement.

Mestre Gigante passed on 30 May 2016, but his measure survives in every tight, low game that honors the berimbau first. The nicknames still fit. Bigodinho for the face the old guard remembers. Gigante for the reach of his work. Pequenininho for a body that fooled no one once the roda began.

Selected milestones

• 1920 — Born 4 Oct in Santo Amaro

• 1950s — Photographed by Verger and Gautherot

• 1964 — Photographed with Mestre Pastinha

• 1968 — Appears in Dança de Guerra

• 1980 — Feature on O Pulo do Gato

• 2006 — Long interview by Francisco Canindé

• 2007 — Releases O Canto do Berimbauman

• 2016 — Dies 30 May