// THE MESTRE
Hiram Ribeiro
// ABOUT THE CLUB
A London Story,
Rooted In Bahia.
The vision for Capoeira Club London began in 2004 and was officially established in 2012 by Master Hiram Ribeiro, who holds an honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contribution to education, culture and community development. CCL was created to share a piece of Bahia with London and welcome people of all backgrounds into Brazilian culture.
Today, CCL has over 500 active students, with more than 50 weekly classes across the UK and Europe led by Hiram and his team of experienced instructors.
"We don't teach choreography. We teach a way of moving, listening and playing with the world, together."
Our work has reached millions, with performances for BBC Children in Need, ITV Good Morning Britain, Channel 4 Sunday Brunch and the Science Museum. We've collaborated with FIFA, Carlinhos Brown and venues including Annabel's Mayfair and Manchester City F.C.
We've also taught and inspired actors Louis Ashbourne Serkis ( The Kid Who Would Be King), Nitin Ganatra ( EastEnders) and Andy Serkis ( The Lord of the Rings, Planet of the Apes).
2012
FOUNDED
500+
STUDENTS
50+
CLASSES / WK
6
TV NETWORKS
// THE ART
Step Into The Circle.
Stay For The Family.
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that blends martial art, dance, music and ritual. It is played inside a circle called the roda, where two players respond to each other's movement through live instruments and song.
Inside the roda, technique becomes trust. Rhythm becomes conversation. And strangers become the people who push you forward.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Live music sets the pace — berimbau, atabaque, pandeiro and agogô.
- Two players enter the circle while everyone else sings, claps and supports.
- Every level trains together, so beginners learn beside advanced students.
- Respect, playfulness and challenge turn strangers into training partners and friends.
// PARTNERS
Schools We Work With
Trusted by leading primary schools across London to deliver capoeira programmes.
// TRUSTED BY OUR COMMUNITY
Real Stories.
Real Transformation.
Based on 43+ verified Google reviews
"My son walks taller, listens better and smiles more. Capoeira has become part of him."
Amara K.
Parent · Hackney
"The corporate event was unlike anything we'd done. Our team is still talking about it."
James R.
Head of Culture, FinTech Co.
"Capoeira gave me back my body, and a confidence I didn't know I had."
Priya S.
Student · 2 years
// CHOOSE YOUR JOURNEY
How Would You
Like To Start?
Five ways to start. Pick the one that fits today and try another later.
// THE FAMILY
Our Sister Branches.
Capoeira Club is growing. Find a branch near you and keep training wherever you go.
// AS SEEN ON
// THE INSTRUMENTS
The Voice Of The Roda
Berimbau
The single-string bow that leads the roda and sets the rhythm.
Atabaque
The tall hand drum that anchors the pulse.
Pandeiro
The Brazilian tambourine that layers the groove.
Agogô
The double bell that marks the accents.
// ROOTS & LINEAGE
From Freedom Fighters To Mestres
1655 – 1695
Zumbi dos Palmares
Leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a symbol of resistance whose legacy lives in capoeira's spirit of freedom.
1895 – 1924
Besouro Mangangá
The legendary capoeirista whose story embodies courage, cunning and the oral tradition of the art.
1900 – 1974
Mestre Bimba
Founder of Capoeira Regional. Brought the art out of the shadows and into the first official academy in Brazil.
1889 – 1981
Mestre Pastinha
Guardian of Capoeira Angola. Kept the ancestral roots, philosophy and ritual of the art alive for generations.
Our lineage runs through Master Hiram Ribeiro, who continues that tradition in London today.
// YOUR MOVE
Ready To Experience
Capoeira?
One trial class, no commitment. Come in curious and leave moving a little differently.