INTRODUCTION

Rhode Island is the smallest state of the United States and in many ways offers the least of many arts. In 1991, there were no Capoeira schools within 50 miles of Providence, Rhode Island. Tigri (The creole adaptation of his nickname in San Shou - Tiger) began studying about Capoeira (mainly the history, philosophy, music and terminology) in 1991 after watching a television program that featured 60 seconds of Capoeira Regional. With no schools around, he had no choice but to educate himself about the art. He took advantage of the available resources, which included some books and videos (i.e. Panther Productions by Mestres Reis and Mestre Amen).

Training from other forms of martial arts aided in learning the concepts of capoeira.  Through patience, careful analysis, and simply paying attention, he was able to capture the essence of some of the more intricate teachings of Capoeira - the malicia; the malendragem. Malandragem, unfortunately, is truly a dificult concept to grasp on one's own. Experience in the roda and imitating others' movements are key to the development of this skill and characteristic. 

TRAINING

Shortly thereafter, Tigri began experiencing feelings of frustration, for the books and the videos had (of course) limited teaching power, and time was of essence. That is, he started to grow impatient with his lack of personal control over his learning of Capoeira. Meanwhile, he also trained in other styles of martial arts as an independent student. Money was a big factor and his family was not able to afford formal training.

In mid-1994, Tigri, along with his cousin Fernando Fialho, organized a Capoeira group at Classical High School in Providence with the sole objective of practicing and sharing the art of Capoeira. The group would meet and review the basics of the art, perform at diversity events, and other school functions. This was obviously not enough. Of the eleven (11) members of the group, Tigri was the only one who consistently continued to pursue Capoeira well through college.

Tigri's first true encounter with a capoeira academy came in 1995, when he learned of a Capoeira school an hour car-ride away from his hometown. He would visit the open rodas and try to gain some experience playing. His non-orthodox, self-learned style was often criticized and mocked by the other students (and sometimes the instructors)...

In the summer of 1996, he moved to the neighboring state to stay closer to the Capoeira academy (not even two blocks away) before leaving for College. Much to his disappointment, the instructor of the school turned him away because he had no money. However, he still attended the open rodas, never missing a single occasion, demonstration, or gathering; training 15-20 plus hours per week. The goal was to earn the instructor's respect and become accepted as a student (HEY - what do you expect from a kid who grew up with Asian martial arts movies? ... Maybe I can show them that I am worthy... lol). Regardless of his efforts, time, or skill, funds were the central concern. In fact, the instructor grew angry when he out-played or challenged the academy's students (but still would not accept him as a student).

That fall (1996), Tigri started attending the University of Rhode Island (URI) in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. His college experience consisted of a few activities, mainly studying, soccer, working, training and attending open rodas and other Capoeira events in the neighboring states, visiting teachers and groups. Finding a "worthy" instructor was quite difficult (perhaps he was looking in the wrong places and at the wrong people). He also started a group at URI, promoting the teachings of Capoeira, in turn, helping himself gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art. The group at URI started with only 2 students in October 1996. By the end of December, the group had 7 dedicated students to the teachings of Regional Capoeira. It was a success and grew to 15 students by October 1997, when it was recognized as an official student senate organization at URI.  By 1998, the organization had between 30-50 students in a given semester.

Thanks to the generosity of family and support from funds raised by the organization and provided by student senate, he had sporsorship to train more passionately and diligently, attending Batizados from Maine to Florida - gaining experience and searching for a group to which and from which he could belong and learn - and called himself a "boulevard capoerista", and sometimes, Ladron di Kapuera/Ladrão de Capoeira (Capoeira Thief). This meant he didn't belong to the "streets" or to any particular group or instructor. The term boulevard seemed to fit as a joke. His style became even more unorthodox - he didn't look like anyone he had trained with... since he had trained with so many different people. At first, this was bothersome to himself and to others he played... but as time progressed, it proved to be unique, effective, and somewhat attractive to others in the roda, including a mestre-friend that tried to lure him into his group by giving him a graduado cord unexpectedly... still, Tigri wasn't interested in formally joining any group.  By this time, he grew to enjoy the traveling and the spirit of being free to learn from different instructors and staying away from the politics of capoeira. Besides, going a group at the time might have meant taking on more responsibilities that he wasn't ready for as a full-time worker and full-time student.

He was also growing quite tired of the mistreatments and neglect in the rodas and the schools he attended with the exception of very few. "Everyone" had something to prove. For many groups and on too many occasions, hospitality was frequently the last item on the agenda.  Those who were attracted tried to lure him into the group... it appears that in capoeira, in order for someone to care about you - you must belong to his or her group. 

GRUPO ONDAS

In 1999, his junior year in college, Tigri met a professor at URI who “changed his life.” He helped him organize his priorities, set personal goals, and set the foundations for Grupo Ondas . It all came down to “ WHO and/or WHAT deserved his allegiance??? ” The Brazilians he had encountered neither cared about him, nor gave him the time of day in Capoeira; and the groups and mestres with which/whom he trained didn't consider him a member or an “invited” guest and viewed him as a threat rather than a potential, loyal student. By this time, Kabuverdianidadi was the only consistent and worthwhile cause for which to fight. Born and raised in Cape Verde Islands (a small, unvoiced country) one develops a sense of patriotism. Since no Brazilian (to this point) was willing to use Tigri's skill to help promote and advance the teachings of Brazilian culture, he now viewed Capoeira as a vessel through which he could teach both Brazilian and Cape Verdean cultures to those willing and receptive to learning about these two beautiful countries.

New England (RI, MA, CT and NH, in particular) is saturated with Cape Verdean people. What better place to start teaching American-born Cape Verdeans about their (neglected) culture than in New England? AND through a beautiful art that he loved so much.

On March 1, 2000, on his Senior year in College, Tigri (now an instructor in Kempo Karate at New Wave Self Defense), at the time - Sifu Nuno and Sensei Carlos De La Cruz decided to accept their instructor's offer to inherit the school – New Wave Self Defense in Warwick, Rhode Island. The Capoeira program and the first curriculum for Grupo Ondas was set soon thereafter in November of that year under Future Impact Martial Arts, Inc., a non-profit organization aimed at educating Rhode Island and Massachusetts children, adolescents, and adults about the physical, emotional and psychological benefits of the martial arts through Shaolin Kempo Karate and “Capoeira.” The Capoeira group became known as the Brazilian and Cape Verdean (BCV) Capoeira group because of its strong focus on the promotion and the understanding of the Brazilian and Cape Verdean cultures through Capoeira. The group then adopted, in 2002, the name Grupo Ondas (Group Waves) since it was a part of New Wave Self Defense (the hosting academy), resided in the Ocean state, and of course, had influences from the Cape Verdean Islands. It should be known that the name BCV Capoeira derived from the capoeira community itself... and not from the students of Ondas -- however, it certainly fit what we were doing, and so, we embraced it:-).

We want to clarify that our group does not and has never practiced capoeira from Cape Verde. Although our style had been a hybrid from several instructors, it was clearly recognized in our own organization that capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art.  The issue for us was that in capoeira - there has been little room from AFRO... it had been primarily Brazilian (Afro appears in the history dimension of the art).  The AFRO shows up in other related arts often associated with capoeira.  Even those dances are not quite "afro" - i.e. maculele and samba de roda. in recent years more capoeiristas have made attempts to include more dances such as afoche and danca afro to the curricula of their academies thus adding a bit more sense of afrocentrism to the mix.  The aspects of our group that is "Cape Verdean" are the dances... and the underlying point of this was to demonstrate the importance of being open-minded and how being synergistic can be more beneficial in the long-term (despite the struggles and scrutny we experienced in the short-term).  Because of this movement, Ondas now has members from all walks of life.  The group is open to learninng about capoeira (as its main art), but welcomes cultural influences from everywhere - including the U.S., Angola, Ethiopia, Guatamala, Puerto Rico, India, China, Japan, etc (see our Map under HOME for a list of countries our students represent). 

               Prof Gaspar, M. Ourico, M. Chuvisco, Tigri, M. Joao Grande                                                Tigri's Formatura

In 2004 - shortly after realizing his first open batizado which yielded over 9,000 spectators in Providence RI, Tigri met Mestre Chuvisco in New Jersey. Mestre Chuvisco was one of, if not the most respectful and accepting mestres Tigri had met. He was not judgemental and very interested in learning more about Grupo Ondas and its story (which is SIGNIFICANTLY longer than this short article), as opposed to criticizing or disapproving it's existence. He spent time observing the group for a while and gave the group the respect he thought it deserved. Soon thereafter, he asked to be the supervisor of Ondas. At the time, there were a few other offers, but honestly, none that compared. And so the beautiful relationship between Ondas and Madingueiros began. The decision to join Mandingueiros was a group decision, as it should be (Ondas is a 100% Democratic group).  In June of 2005, Grupo Ondas and Mandingueiros dos Palmares officially united in a formal batizado witness by almost 10,000 spectators, with Mestre Chuvisco being the overseer of both groups.  Tigri was ranked as contramestre (2006) and mestrando (2010) under mestre Chuvisco - with the blessing of mestre Joao Grande at both events.  Stressors in the relationship over the years, led to a formal separation in 2011; however, Mestre Chuvisco shall remain the only mestre that Tigri recognizes and proudly calls - his instructor.  Grupo Ondas does not plan to "re-marry"; rather, it will continue the journey it began back in 2000. 

(FROM TIGRI) With that being said, to all of you students who decided to take the hard, yet rewarding road with me, and are still here to tell about it - THANK YOU.

Fumaca, Jamaika, Tigri and Marcio (Ondas Batizado 2004)

Today, Tigri continues to train and learn from other students and instructors from different groups of Capoeira. Aside from mestre Chuvisco, He does not “acknowledge” his passed “Mestres,” for they did not and do not possess, nor portray, the qualities of decent people. They practiced greed and selfishness, and do not care for their students' personal well-being. Also, Tigri is not ashamed to admit, and declares openly that he is proud to be largely a “self-taught” Capoeira instructor.  What he is today is accredited to himself, God and the students/friends who fought along his side.   On several occasions, mestres from different groups have approached him about teaching under them and leaving his dream of Ondas behind… but he has continued, faithful and loyal to his cause.

Aside from being a capoeira instructor, Tigri now teaches in the school psychology program in the department of education at Tufts University in Boston, MA.  He earned his doctorate in May of 2007. With his degree he is always trying to learn and develop more efficient ways of teaching students from all backgrounds and (physical/cognitive) abilities; and conducting research about Cape Verdean culture – in the areas of parenting, acculturation, corporal punishment, ethnic enclaves, the "concept of adolescence and defiance," and is ALWAYS WEARING THE LENS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.  He is also, the co-owner of New Wave Martial Arts Academy/New Wave Self Defense, the director of and musician for Viajantes (traveling groups of dancers, acrobatics and martial artists), the director of the Cape Verdean and Brazilian Cultural Center of RI, and is the founder of New Wave Arts.

Grupo Ondas will continue to grow. The learning process i never over, and Tigri hopes that others will continue to view him as a person who wants to continue learning Capoeira for life as Bimba and other great martial artists intended – training as an ever-changing and adaptable martial artist, growing with the flows of time and innovations. For all intent and purposes, “Our Capoeira” is simply Capoeira, but no two Capoeira Groups are the same even within the same organization.