Creating space for women and children in capoeira
Mestra Di leads the group Luz di Angola, and its associated children’s group Luz di Angolinha in Olinda, Pernambuco. She identifies as a Black and Indigenous woman and, born and raised in the area she teaches, Mestra Di has lived experience of the challenges that her students face. Through her personal journey, too, she has developed a critical eye on the conservatism in many capoeira groups, and she uses her practice to open the space for children, women and gender non-conforming players.