In Loving Memory: Carlos Aceituno
It is with a heavy heart that Root brings this news to our readers. Beloved community leader, Carlos Aceituno of Fogo Na Roupa, left this world early Wednesday morning.
We invite our readers to post their memories and feelings in the comments section.
Click here for the link to the Mercury News story.
From Inside Bay Area comes this article:
| Capoeira master leaves legacy Teacher of Brazilian martial arts, Fogo Na Roupa Grupo founder dies at age 45 |
| Carlos
Aceituno, founder of the popular Fogo Na Roupa Grupo Carnaval and a
well-loved master and teacher of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art,
died Wednesday after suffering severe chest pains. He was 45. 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. "He contributed so much to Brazilian culture, he will be missed a lot," said Zak Diouf, professor of music, director of the Diamano Coura African dance company, and a close friend. Ironically, Diouf said the last time they talked, Aceituno was expressing concern about his father's health. "And to think three days later the man is gone. It's shocking," Diouf said. "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." 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. He founded Fogo Na Roupa (which means clothes on fire in Portuguese) in 1989. It would grow to include dozens of dancers and drummers and routinely placed first in several categories in San Francisco's Carnaval. A number of members of Fogo have participated every year since it was founded. In several cases, two generations of families drum and dance with the group. "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." |
Several memorials
are planned on both sides of the Bay. From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday,
students will share memories at Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission
St., San Francisco. On Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., drummers and dancers
will celebrate Aceituno's life at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for
the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland.
During an opening ceremony for the new de Young museum in San
Francisco last year, 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 title of
Mestre (master) in 2000. 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. Aceituno led annual tours to Brazil where students, adult and youngsters, studied
the culture. Fogo opened for the popular Brazilian show "Olodum" and for Carlos Santana.
"He brought people from all walks of life together: wealthy,
low-income, every color and shade," Abdullah said. "He created another
family based on his passion for the arts. Now this family is grieving
for him."
Quinta Feira, Setembro 28, 2006.
Eu conhecí o professor Carlos de corda marrom, na primaveira do ano 1999 quando eu comecei a treinar Capoeira. Foi ele quem me batizou de "Mosca" no meu primeiro batizado, naquele onde eu recebi a corda amarela das mãos dele.
Daí mais um ano, fui pro São Francisco à atender a primeira cerimônia de formatura nos EUA. Mestre Aceituno recebeu a graduação de Corda Vermelha das mãos de Mestre Preguiça no dia 13 de Maio do ano 2000, marcando mais de 20 anos de dedicação na Capoeira. O maior instrumento de ensinança do Mestre Aceituno foi a mixtura de um entendimento da Capoeira e uma boa base que aprendeu com seu Mestre Preguiça, e o talento impecável que ele tinha por entender as pessoas como ser humano; além da paixão pelo conhecimento da cultura brasileira. Ele era, e ainda é mais brasileiro que muitos brasileiros que eu conheço.
O fruto do trabalho dele na Capoeira e na cultura brasileira na Califórnia é representado hoje em dia por seus alunos mais graduados e a multitude de pessoas que conhecíam ele como o lider do bloco de samba Fougo Na Roupa.
Nele eu encontrei não só um Mestre de Capoeira mas também um amigo e um irmão mais velho, pronto a me aconselhar e consolar. É por causa dele que eu agora entendo muitas coisas no mundo da Capoeira, e tenho orgulho dele ter feito parte da nossa família Omulu.
Valeu por todo, Carlos. Descanse em paz, amigo meu...
Carlos "Mosca" Armacanqui
Instructor - OMULU CAPOEIRA WISCONSIN
www.OMULUWI.org
Posted by: Carlos "Mosca" Armacanqui. | October 03, 2006 at 07:43 PM
My name is Hakim,
first to Carlos's biological family and to his extended families all our the world I send my deepest sympathy and condolences, we have suffered a great lost to the Arts. I had the honor of knowing Carlos back in the early days of Capoeria in Oakland / The Bay Area. Even back then, Carlos had a very gentle but noticeable spirit. He was always humble and had no problems sharing what he knew with anyone in his company. Carlos gifts and talents have been shared with so many people near an far, his spirit will live foever. I will miss you Carlos my Brother.
Peace and Blessings
Hakim Akil Hart
Hart's Martial Arts Academy
Ellenwood Georgia, 30294
Posted by: Hakim Hart | October 06, 2006 at 02:58 PM
My name is Richard Marroquin and I am Our Beloved Cousin of Carlos Aceituno. I am based out of Los Angeles..
I remember when I was only 14 years old and I would visit my Cousin Carlos..He would take me to his Capoeira class and share with me his gift...I fell in love with Capoeira and it's instruments..Carlos brought me into a world of beautiful Brazilian Art...He would also take me swimming with my cousin Marvin...I remember when he would take me all around town in his CRX....He gave me so much love and for that I am thankful...I am in so much pain to know that he is no longer with us...
I would like to thank the Community of The Bay Area for the Tribute that was done for our Beloved Carlos Aceituno..We are forever Thankful to all of YOU!!!
The day of his laying to rest 18 years later I closed my eyes and I prayed to him with all my might as I began to dance Capoeira in his name..
He has left me a part of him and for that I Thank Him!!! I will always remember you Cousin...I will always love you and I will always dance Capoeira in you name..May GOD Bless You and may you be in HEAVEN dancing Capoeira with all the angels and may you always watch over your family, your students, and all of us who will always and forever have you in our minds,hearts, and souls...
Te voy a Extrañar Primo con toda mi alma..."I Love You Now and Always"
Tu Primo,
Richard Marroquin
CSULA
Posted by: Richard Marroquin | October 08, 2006 at 08:02 PM
I thought carlos was the best teacher because I went to his classes ,and I miss him very much. Sincerly yours,Yasmeen
Posted by: yasmeen pasha | May 25, 2007 at 01:39 PM