Mestre
Gato.

The early Senzala circle

Fernando C. C. Albuquerque, known as Mestre Gato, is a founding member of Grupo Senzala. The school’s historical account describes him joining the Flores brothers’ training sessions in Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, in 1964.

That circle of practitioners developed through regular training and experimentation. Its story is told in greater detail in our Grupo Senzala history.

Recognition at the Berimbau de Ouro

Gato and Preguiça won the Berimbau de Ouro on their first attempt and again the following year. When they returned for a third attempt, organisers said the competition was for students, not masters.

Although they still considered themselves students, their success had brought recognition as mestres. They instead helped prepare Mosquito and Borracha, whose victory made it three consecutive wins for Senzala.

A connection with Great Britain

Gato’s period of study at Newcastle University became an important part of Senzala’s British story. He organised rodas and worked with a group of enthusiasts led by Eamonn Dunlea. That community became affiliated with the original group in Brazil.

His capoeira work has included workshops and batizados with Senzala and other groups in the UK and Europe.

His son Mestre Pedro continued the connection after arriving in the UK in 2000. Together these histories help explain the roots of the Sheffield school.