Graduado Guerreiro
My name is Afonso Matumona (Graduado Guerreiro). I first became interested in Capoeira when I went to primary school in Angola. Some of the other boys were doing it in the playground and I desperately wanted to be like them. Unfortunately, I was never allowed to go to classes and learn properly as they took place at times past my curfew and, also, my parents wanted me to concentrate on my homework.
When I arrived in the UK I started at a secondary school in Camberwell, London. I joined my school basketball team and one day when we were practising someone told me that there would be Capoeira classes happening in the same gym. I went to watch the class and that is where I met Graduado Madimbu. I started to train Capoeira with him and I have never stopped. Graduado Madimbu was the person that showed me the first steps of Capoeira. He was a great teacher who helped inspire me to have more belief in myself. When I had no money to train he would let me train for free, taught me how to play instruments and shared his knowledge of life and Capoeira. He kept me off of the streets and taught me to be respectful to myself and others.
In 2008, Graduado Madimbu decided to stop practising Capoeira for personal reasons. I found myself looking for a new group with a similar style and this was Group Capoeira Nago. I had met Formado Polegar at many Capoeira events so I knew his style and I knew that he was very dedicated to Capoeira. I liked his determination and his passion towards Capoeira and I wanted to begin training with him and his group Capoeira Nago. Now Formado Polegar and I work together, administering classes, doings professional shows/demonstrations and organising national and International Capoeira Events.
