Omulu Guanabara

Our beloved teacher and friend, Mestre Carlos Aceituno unexpectedly left this world on September 27, 2006 at the young age of 45. In his wake, he left hundreds, if not thousands, of inspired capoeiristas, afro-brazilian dancers, drummers and creatives from all walks, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds whom he immeasurably touched during his lifetime. As one writer put it, "He was such a vibrant force, connecting people to their own vitality, allowing them experiences they would have otherwise missed."

He was blessed to be surrounded by his family in the days before his passing. The following is a short biography of Mestre Carlos Aceituno's life pieced together from various sources:

Carlos Aceituno was born in Guatemala and introduced to Brazilian music, dance and capoeira after he immigrated to the Bay Area as a teenager. He credited Brazilian culture with helping him cope with the violence that tore apart his homeland during the civil war that lasted until 1996.

Mestre Carlos Aceituno began his study of Capoeira in the late 1970's and worked under the leadership of his teacher, Mestre Preguiça, creating successful youth and adult Capoeira programs. He was a California Arts Council Artist-in-Residence at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, a former Artist-in-Residence at the Mission Cultural Center and an honoree recipient of the MCCLA's 25th Anniversary Youth Artistic Service Award honoring his outstanding contributions in the field of the arts through capoeira instruction and training.

Mestre Carlos' artistic background encompasses various forms of music and dance study: Latin, Afro-Brazilian, Jazz, modern, and African. In 1989, he formed the award winning Carnaval group Fogo Na Roupa (Clothes on Fire). It would grow to include dozens of dancers and drummers and routinely placed first in several categories in San Francisco's Carnaval, including Grand Champions in 2005, 2006 and 2007. A number of members of Fogo and Omulu Capoeira Group participated in the parade every year since it was founded. In several cases, two generations of families drum and dance with the group.

Mestre Aceituno was a fixture at the Bay Area's Carnaval parade and celebrations, enthusiastically leading Fogo Na Roupa's huge bateria (drum section) and directing the group's many segments. He also trained scores of elementary and high school students in capoeira in free classes at Oakland's Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts.

"Carlos contributed so much of himself, his spirit. He was always working with a student, going to get a student, talking to a student," said Haninah Abdullah, a dancer with Fogo since 2000. "He would teach dance and drum at the same time, creating a vibrant, powerful, slamming energy in class that was so contagious. He was one of a kind."

"Fogo is really an extended family for us", said Pamela McDonald. Her son started drumming with the group, but soon the entire family was participating. "All of us were under the same spell of Carlos. He encouraged each one of us to bring out the best in ourselves."

During an opening ceremony for the new de Young museum in San Francisco, McDonald said Aceituno led Fogo in a dynamic performance that brought together all the nationalities and groups in attendance.

In his capoeira classes, he taught the technique and discipline of Omulu Capoeira Guanabara, in which he earned the prestigious title of "Mestre" (master) in 2000, the first one achieved outside of Brazil in the United States. He also taught the importance of academic achievement. Students had to keep their grades at B level or above to participate in class. Even without outside funding, he insisted on keeping the classes free.

"A lot of time the youth would come to the office to do their homework and he would check it before they would go and practice. His presence was very important to the youth in the Bay Area," Diouf said.

"He brought people from all walks of life together: wealthy, low-income, every color and shade," said Haninah Abdullah.

It is with a heavy that we must let our Mestre leave this world to continue his journey. As larger than life as Mestre Carlos was he seems to have expanded his reach and influence 10 fold since his passing. Articles and blogs have sprung up all over the Internet memorializing his legacy and spreading his spirit. Through this sharing of his memory people who would have otherwise never known about Mestre Carlos have been moved simply by learning about his life and vast contributions. Some responses to these original articles and blogs have grown into dedications of their own.

Under the theme, "Flight of the Quetzal", Fogo Na Roupa are proud to be SF Carnaval Grand Champions once again in 2007 as they took to the streets to parade and celebrate the birth, passion, and legacy of Mestre Carlos Aceituno!

In addition, Mestre Carlos was honored with the prestigious Cesar Chavez, "Si Se Puede" award on March 31st, 2007 reserved only for those who espouse Chavez's core values of community and service to others. As if that wasn't enough, Mayor Gavin Newsom officially declared May 18th as Carlos Aceituno Day!