Raised in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, Mestre Nego Gato grew up the son of a Mae de Santo (Mother of the Saints) a spiritual leader in the Candomble House.
Candomble is a syncratic mix of traditional African religion, Catholicism and Spiritism. Because of this Gato (as he is often called) says that he began dancing and practicing Capoeira in the womb as his mother danced in the ritual ceremonies. Gato grew up competing as a highly skilled gymnast winning several titles. This when integrated with the formal training he began receiving as a small child in Capoeira, traditional Afro Brazilian samba & ritual dance made for Gato's acrobatic and celebrated style.