Laia Loio: Touching Tribute to mestre Bimba.
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History and sentiment behind song
A Tribute to Mestre Bimba
This song is the most perfect and touching tribute to Mestre Bimba, the founder of Capoeira Regional. He passed away in Sao Salvador, the capital city of Bahia - the birthplace of Capoeira.
The writer is lamenting the loss of his mentor. He along with the whole town of Bahia relays out this message loudly to the sons (iaia) and daughters (ioio) of the slave masters. Mestre Bimba has taught this writer Capoeira since childhood and has perfected him in all the strategic Capoeira kicks such as 'Meia-Lua' meaning half-moon kick done with both hands on the ground.
Then he has perfected him in 'Markelo' or the hammer kick, followed by the instep kick, 'Rabo de Arraia'. He complements his master who was a great musician, cunning and clever and had powers of a Mandingueiro, or a sorcerer. He is now lamenting that since his master has passed away, the art may die down. Hence he is pleading with everyone to keep Mestre Bimba's tradition alive and to carry on his legacy by practising this rich art form.
Song Lyrics
Quando o meu mestre se foi
Toda a Bahia chorou
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Oi menino com quem aprendeu
Oi menino com quem aprendeu Aprendeu a jogar capoeira aprendeu
Quem me ensinou já morreu
Quem me ensinou já morreu
O seu nome esta gravado
Na terra onde ele nasceu
Salve o Mestre Bimba
Salve Ilha de maré
Salve o mestre que me ensinou
A mandinga de bater com o pé
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Mandingueiro
Venho de malé bolência
Era ligeiro o meu mestre
Que jogava conforme a cadência
No bater do Berimbau
Salve o Mestre Bimba
Criador da regional
Salve o mestre bimba Criador da regional
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Aprendeu meia- lua aprendeu
Muitas vezes na beira da praia
E martelo, rabo- de- arraia
Jogava no pé da ladeira
Salve são salvador
Salve Ilha de maré
Salve o mestre que me ensinou
A mandinga de bater com o pé
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Quando meu mestre se foi
Toda a Bahia chorou
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
English translations
When my master is gone
All of Bahia cried
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Hi boy, did you learn it?
Hi boy, did you learn it?
Learned to play capoeira learned
Who taught me is dead
Who taught me is dead
Your name is recorded.
In the land where he was born
Save the Master Bimba
Salve Ilha de Maré
Save the master who taught me
The mandinga to hit with the foot
Iaia ioio
Iaia ioio iaia ioio
Mandingueiro
I come from malà © creência
My master was light.
That played according to the cadence
Do not beat the Berimbau
Save the Master Bimba
Creator of the regional