The group Senzala was founded in Rio de Janeiro over forty years ago and today represents one of the biggest and most respected Capoeira groups in the world not only because of its long standing tradition but also due to its consistency and a systematic way of work. Thanks to the sincerity of its members, Senzala is one of the most prominent Capoeira groups outside of Brazil, and its influence in the world is unparalleled.

Its roots date back to the 60s. In fact in 1963 brothers Paulo, Rafael and Gilberto Flores, its founders, moved from Salvador, Bahia to Rio de Janeiro, but kept returning home and practicing Capoeira with the two Capoeira Masters today considered to the of highest rank, Master Bimba and Master Pastinha. As it became their passion the brothers began holding weekly lessons in their apartment in the suburb of Rio de Janeiro, Laranjeiras. In 1964 the group was joined by one of today’s famed Masters, Fernando C. C. Albuquerque, also known as Gato, or cat.

Gato became friends with Paulo Flores when the two met on their way from Bahia to Rio, however, Gato only later found out about Paulos devotion to Capoeira when Paulo was attacked at a party. Paulo docked a leg kick and retaliated with a circular heel hit which knocked his opponent out. Impressed with the move, Gato begged Paulo to teach him. Although Paulo insisted he was not a Master, nor a professor, but merely a student, after persistent insisting on Gato’s part he agreed to show him a few basic movements of Capoeira. From then on Gato trained with Paulo and his brothers. “You learn a few movements, and then another few, and then you try what you learned”-remembers Master Gato, adding that the dances were strenuous and with quite a bit of contact, but that he quickly learned to defend himself.

Soon after, the group was joined by Claudio Jose Queiroz, and his friend Peixinho. Following them, Garrincha and Sorriso joined, as well we Gato’s brother Gil. The group grew! Two years later, more famous names joined the group: Itamar, Mosquito, Barracha, Sanfona, Bigode, Jimmy, William and Antero. In 1966, the group had 15 regular members. Because of the noise they made they were asked to leave the location where they had practiced and trained, and so the group moved to Largo de Machado. That same year the group appeared with the name it still holds today, Grupo Senzala.

In the late 60s, there weren’t many Capoeira competitions. Nevertheless the most important one was Berimbau de Ouro. The first year the Senzala group competed at this event, the team that was in part made by Gato and Pregisa, won! They following year they won again! This made the Senzala group stronger. The third year, the Capoeira association denied Gato and Pregiso the right to compete. Berimbau de Ouro was a competition for students, and their dedication to the art the two years prior was cause for the association to grant them Master titles. Now Masters, Gato and Pregisa started training the newer members of Senzala: Mosquito and Barracha. Their win at the Berimbau de Ouro marked the group’s third trophy, the golden Berimbau. At this point the news of the groups tremendous success quickly spread across Brazil and people wanted to train with the group. As the number of members grew the need to move arose yet again. This time the group moved to Cosme Velho where one of the students had a large space which he offered for the groups use. In the period between 1968 and 1971 Masters and students of Capoeira from all over Brazil came to Cosme Velho. Master Gato remembers this place as "place of great energy".

The Senzala group began practicing Capoeira by Master Bimba’s system, but they were quickly influenced by the style from Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. At that time they were already the leading Capoeira group in Rio and one of the best known in all of Brazil.

In the mid 80s, the Senzala group began performing outside of Brazil. After their first European encounter in France in 1987, Senzala begins to grain presence in all of Europe mainly thanks to the core group that was composed of Peixinho, Garrincha, Sorriso, Elias, Itamar, Ramos, Beto, Samara and Arruda. Today the Senzala group has branches all over the world.

The Masters that make up Senzala today are Rafael Flores, Paulo Flores, Claudio Danadinho, Gato, Peixinho, Itamar, Gil Velho, Garrincha, Sorriso, Toni Vargas, Elias, Ramos, Amendoim, Feijao, Beto, Claudio Arruda, Claudio Samara, Abutre, Zumbi, Irandir, Rui, Michel, Grilo and Bruzzi.