Mestre cueca and neve
«Family will be family, so we can also rely on each other»
Separated by a huge distance and years of experience, brothers, despite everything, still work together on one common goal — to make people happier and healthier.
When you have an elder brother who is crazy about capoeira, you simply can't stay aside. Neve, younger brother of Mestre Cueca, can't even remember himself outside of capoeira . It has been with him since childhood, when he spent time at capoeira events, among the best capoeiristas of Israel and invited masters from Brazil.
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Неви
"It was really crazy. People used to ask me: 'When will you start training?' But to me I have always done it. I have old photos where I'm doing au with a roda on the background or I drill basic movements on the grass during a capoeira party. I even remember such conversations that people would really rather me to forget them!"
Cueca started doing capoeira as soon as he entered high school at the age of 16. Neve had just turned 3 years old. For him, Cueca has always been the cool elder brother, an idol. Even back then, Cueca was close to the best capoeiristas in Israel. Neve was usually not invited to their company — to them he was only a child. Neve didn't like it and tried very hard to catch the attention of the adults.
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Neve
"When they came to our house, I always tried to get to their nerves. Once I jumped on Edan's back and tore his T-shirt off. They tried to punish me but I used to run to my mum and say that they want to beat me. But one day my mum wasn't around and I don't actually remember details, but I certainly remember having been tied on the bed with a yellow cordão. That was my first batizado!"
Neve had his first actual batizado when he became a student of Mestre Cueca. There's nothing surprising about him choosing his elder brother as the first teacher.
"Everything I ever learned about capoeira — technique, discipline, music, games in a roda, philosophy — everything is thanks to him. Even now, when a lot of time has passed, I can say that Cueca is my master".
It was difficult for their parents to accept their obsession with capoeira. They saw their children as lawyers or doctors. When the parents realized that for Cueca capoeira had become more than a hobby, they tried to influence the youngest by putting additional pressure on him. But his love for capoeira turned out to be stronger.
After some time Neve moved to Brazil and settled down in a small hippie village in Bahia in order to learn capoeira Angola. There he has built his own academy and found loyal students.
After some time Neve moved to Brazil and settled down in a small hippie village in Bahia in order to learn capoeira Angola. There he has built his own academy and found loyal students.
"Our family has learned to accept and support capoeira. Of course, our parents would prefer us to find a 'normal' job but they worked hard for us to have an opportunity to
choose our own way. I know now they are proud of us".
Mestre Cueca
choose our own way. I know now they are proud of us".
Mestre Cueca
Mestre used to teach his brother but eventually they chose to go separate ways and their connection was broken for many years. Cueca left his house at the very young age to improve his capoeira skills. Neve also took after him. Now, after much time has passed and they have been through so much experience, they became close again.
Cueca
"It's true, we lost each other for some time. Today we regained our connection and try to help each other as much as possible. We go separate ways, but family will be family, so we can always rely on each other".
Neve
"I always ask him for advice, when I have a question. It's great, because we fulfill each other. We're like a bridge between two sides of the world and capoeira".
In 2016 Mestre and his students had a chance to walk through this "bridge". They visited Neve's academy in Bahia, which left a great impression on Mestre.
"You know, maybe when Neve just started training, I was better than him. Now I wish I could kick his ass but it's not possible anymore — he's a beast!"
Cueca admits that Neve has always been determined and hardworking, more than anyone else, and he has a lot of pride and respect for his younger brother's achievements. Now, a former student has become a source of inspiration for his master.
Separated by a huge distance and years of experience, having different points of view, brothers, despite everything, still work together on one common goal — to make people happier and healthier.
"You know, maybe when Neve just started training, I was better than him. Now I wish I could kick his ass but it's not possible anymore — he's a beast!"
Cueca admits that Neve has always been determined and hardworking, more than anyone else, and he has a lot of pride and respect for his younger brother's achievements. Now, a former student has become a source of inspiration for his master.
Separated by a huge distance and years of experience, having different points of view, brothers, despite everything, still work together on one common goal — to make people happier and healthier.
"We constantly exchange with knowledge and experience. Neve lives in Brazil and is always surrounded by old masters and traditions, that's why I usually ask him to share some rare songs or rhythms. He has a direct access to the source of capoeira and I'm using it".
"There's a natural connection between us, which doesn't depend on anything — it just exists. I don't know if it gives advantage in a roda, but it certainly is always there".
Neve
Neve
Credits: Dmitriy Korotkov, Alexandra Safonova; Tatyana Ermolaeva; Natse Rojas; Jogo Bonito archive
