Mestre Gary

Gary, known throughout the capoeira world as Mestre 22, Mestre 22 da Bonfim, and sometimes Guere 22, was a key figure in transmitting the Bonfim capoeira lineage to subsequent generations. His path into capoeira began with a moment of inspiration: witnessing a skilled capoeirista in a street altercation at the São Clemente block in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro (today the famous São Clemente samba school). The martial prowess he observed that day convinced him to pursue the art.

In 1957, at age 12, Gary began training at the Associação Cultural Bonfim, learning from Mestres Zé Grande and Deraldo—the two men who had taken over leadership of the group after founder Mário Buscapé returned to Bahia. The Bonfim group had moved from its initial small space in São Cristóvão to a larger academy in Olaria, where it had become famous for training high-level competitors.

Within Bonfim, Gary encountered Mestre Veludo, a strong, quick Black man who was renowned as one of the most respected cabeceiros (headbutt specialists) in Rio de Janeiro. Veludo became Gary's instructor in the dangerous cabeçada technique—a movement requiring precise timing and placement, demanding "all the cunning of capoeira." Gary would later pass this specialized knowledge to his own students.

Recalling the capoeira scene of the 1960s and 70s, Gary listed the notable practitioners of that dangerous era: "Zé Grande, Deraldo, Luiz do peito queimado, Zé Pedro, Mentirinha, Cilas, Touro, Travasso, Celso do Engenho da Rainha, Corvo, Bogado, Martins, Marlon—and myself, Mestre 22 da Bonfim." He described this period as a time when there were no uniforms or cords; practitioners wore normal clothing and identified simply as "capoeira players" without stylistic labels.

The traditional roda protocol of that era made a lasting impression. Gary recalled how Mestre Zé Grande would call for the toque de iuna, at which point only mestres would play—"it was very beautiful to see."

Gary trained and graduated numerous mestres who carry on his lineage: Mestre Lébio, Mestre Rui Charuto, Mestre Mão de Onça, Mestre Toinho, Mestre Elias, and Mestra Marly "Malvadeza." Marly, who became both his disciple and wife, would continue his work after his death.

Gary founded the Associação Cultural de Capoeira Liberdade, which now operates in multiple Brazilian states: Ceará (Caucaia, São Gonçalo do Amarante, Trairi, Itapipoca, Amontada), Alagoas (Maceió, Tapera, Olivença, Jacaré dos Homens, Olho d'Água das Flores, Ipuera, Piau, Santana do Ipanema, Poço das Trincheiras), and Bahia.

When asked about his style, Gary rejected classifications. He stated: "I am simply an old student... just an old capoeira player." At the time of his interview (around 2012), he was 67 years old with 55 years in capoeira. His closing message urged respect for elderly masters as "sources of wisdom and living memory of capoeira."

Gary died on July 19, 2021, a victim of COVID-19. At the 2022 "Mulher Vem Pra Roda" event organized by his group, Mestra Marly Malvadeza ritualistically scattered his ashes at the feet of the participants—a final act of connection between the departed mestre and the continuing community.