Américo Araújo Brandão — Mestre Brandão
10 Feb 1930, Amargosa (BA) – 30 Apr 2024

Mestre Brandão came to capoeira from sport and stayed for the music. In 1950 a training partner urged him to visit the barracão of Mestre Waldemar in Salvador. He found a language there—berimbau first, voice steady, game measured—and he never let it go.

Life pulled him between uniforms and rodas. Brandão served as a first sergeant and worked in the Bahia prison system (Lemos de Brito/Mata Escura, Santo Antônio, and Pedra Preta/Castelo Branco). The job required discipline and calm