Lead Vocals, Guitar, Cavaco, Percussion
Papiba Godinho was born and raised in Brasília, Brazil. Papiba has a long history in capoeira and was fortunate enough to teach and travel internationally before landing in Santa Cruz in 1992. There, he began teaching capoeira and percussion, and founded a branch of Raizes do Brasil Capoeira School.
In addition to his capoeira school, his musical talents and dedication to sharing Brazilian culture lead him to form SambaDá in 1998. Papiba is a gifted song writer and composes much of SambaDá’s original music. Papiba’s infectious enthusiasm for what he does comes across in every show and brings people together. A “Mestre” (master teacher) of Capoeira (a Brazilian Art Form fusing dance, martial art and music), Papiba is a natural leader and teacher. His music is often shaped and inspired by the spirit of capoeira.
Today, Papiba is director of his own Brazilian Cultural Center that houses capoeira, dance and music classes for adults and children taught at the center and in local schools. He continues to write and compose and has recently been inspired by his experience with the Raizes do Brazil Capoeira project in São Tome, Africa.
