Mestre Rogério Soares Peixoto, born in 1954 in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the prominent representatives of Capoeira Angola in both Brazil and Europe. His journey spans more than five decades of dedication to the preservation, teaching, and international expansion of the traditional Angolan style.

Early Years and Formation

Rogério began practicing capoeira in 1972, during a period when Capoeira Angola was undergoing revitalization in Rio de Janeiro. Immersed in a rich cultural environment, he developed a deep respect for the Afro-Brazilian roots of the art and committed himself to studying its movements, songs, rituals, and philosophy.

His path led him to train under some of the most influential leaders of the Angola renaissance. In 1989, after years of dedication and consistent practice, he received the title of Mestre de Capoeira Angola, granted by:

• Mestre Moraes of GCAP (Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho)

• Mestre Cobra Mansa of FICA (Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola)

This recognition placed him within two of the most historically significant Angola lineages of the modern era.

Founding the First Angola School in Minas Gerais

Shortly after becoming mestre, Rogério moved to Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, where he founded the first Capoeira Angola school in the region.
This pioneering work established a foundation for the Angola tradition in a state previously dominated by other styles, planting seeds for future generations of angoleiros in Minas Gerais.

His school became known not only for technical rigor but also for its cultural and educational approach, emphasizing the values of ancestry, identity, and resistance inherent in Capoeira Angola.

International Expansion — Capoeira Angola in Europe

In 1990, Mestre Rogério moved to Kassel, Germany, marking the beginning of his influential work in Europe.
Over the following decades, he contributed decisively to the spread of Capoeira Angola across the continent.

He later settled in Düsseldorf, where he continues to live and teach. His work has expanded to several German cities, including:

• Frankfurt

• Kassel

• Hamburg

• Freiburg

Through workshops, rodas, cultural programs, and regular instruction, Mestre Rogério has helped build stable Angola communities throughout Germany, making him one of the most respected Angola mestres in Europe.