Contra-Mestre Ze ComFome- Adailton Fernandes dos Reis (Mestre Ze com Fome) was born in Brazil in a less then privileged rural area.  He worked in a farm where he was born and began his training in Capoeira in the 1980’s with Mestre Rafael who began teaching a small group in his garage. Although he also had the honor of training with many well known Mestres from the Capoeira Group Senzala, such as Mestres Peixinho, Gato, Sorriso, Garrincha, Tony Vargas, Luis Paulo and Disa, Ze says he always felt “priviledged” to be allowed to train under his first Master, Mestre Rafael.

The need to help his family financially and escape poverty forced  Ze moved to the city , where he began training with Mestre Museu of the group Artes das Gerais, who continues to be his Capoeira Master to this day.

Mestre Ze had to fight adversity to continue his training. Capoeira is still looked down on by many people in Brazil who believe it to be a “street art” due to its roots with the African slaves from Angola. He was discriminated by many people because of his devotion to his training, some of which were his own family members.

Ze put himself through school and worked very hard all day. He would train at late hours during the night. Finally, he achieved his “graduated” level of Professor and moved to the USA to begin his work here. His goal was to teach Capoeira , adding one more branch of the Group Artes das Gerais, which already have schools in Japan, Germany, Ireland and of course Brazil. He currently owns a school in Framingham, MA.

In 2003 he was surprised by his Master and earned his “Contra-Mestre” rank in Capoeira at the event held to promote his students. That event was attended by many well known Mestres from all over the world, including the presence of Mestre Joao Grande. This year Ze  is due to receive the highest rank of “Mestre”.

Ze also traveled a lot to participate in the initiation events from other Capoeira Groups, going as far as Germany, Canada and throughout the USA. He frequently teaches workshops at these events that are attended by hundreds of “Capoeiristas” (Capoeira practitioners).

Ze also holds a rank of Brown Belt in Brazilian Jujitsu. He has been training and competing with Team Link, from Massachusetts for about 10 years. He holds 5 wins and 1 loss in MMA. Because of his training in jujitsu, Ze tends to focus more on the “combative” side of Capoeira. During his classes, he constantly reminds students that although is great to learn all the “pretty” moves, Capoeira is first a “Martial Art”, not a dance.

Ze describes Capoeira as a “University”, because you never know everything and you are constantly learning something new. He also quotes: “To have little, but to have God with you, is a lot. But to have a lot and not have God, means nothing”.

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