What Is ABADÁ-Capoeira?
The Benefits of Capoeira
Rank System
What is a Batizado?
What is Maculele?
Capoeira Songs
Student-written Articles
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What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that was created by the slaves brought
to Brazil. The techniques of Capoeira are hidden within its dance and music.
The “berimbau”, a string-like instrument from Angola, is the primary
instrument used. Along with the berimbau there is the “atabaque”(drum)
and the “Pandeiro” (tambourine). It is in the “roda”
(circle in Portuguese) where highly skilled capoeristas demonstrate their abilities
using combinations of kicks, leg sweeps and acrobatics. Many of the slaves’
owners thought that it was just another African manifestation being practiced.
Thus, by confusing their masters, the slaves practiced their martial art. The
art of Capoeira, which started around the 16th century, began to be suspect
in the 1800’s. When the slaves’ masters finally realized what the
slaves were practicing, Capoeira became outlawed. Capoeira had become a synonym
of for an outlaw, a vagabond and delinquent. Thus, any one caught practicing
Capoeira was severely punished, and at times killed. However, due to the perseverance
of secretive encounters, the slaves were able to continue practicing Capoeira
and prevented it from vanishing.
A Brazilian president by the name of Getulio Vargas lifted the ban on Capoeira,
after seeing a wonderful presentation by Mestre Bimba and his group. Since then,
Capoeira has become a Brazilian national sport. Mestre Bimba officially opened
the first legal Capoeira academy in Brazil in 1932. Upon opening his new school,
Mestre Bimba also sought to make Capoeira more “ legitimate.” He
developed a new style of Capoeira as “Regional.” This style brought
structure and sound teaching methods to the art of Capoeira. Mestre Bimba taught
Capoeira for nearly forty years before his death. Thousands of privileged individuals
were taught under his tutelage, including my master, Mestre Camisa. Mestre Camisa
was one of his most impressive students, who today is the founder and president
of the International ABADÁ-Capoeira Association.
What is ABADÁ-Capoeira?
ABADÁ-Capoeira (Brazilian Association of Support for the Development
of the Art of Capoeira) is the largest Capoeira organization in and outside
of Brazil. Based in Rio de Janeiro, President and Founder Mestre Camisa, has
dedicated his life to preserving and expanding the art of Capoeira throughout
the world. ABADÁ-Capoeira is an International Organization with the objective
of spreading Brazilian culture through Capoeira. Capoeira is an important vehicle
and example of social integration because it involves all social classes regardless
of race, religion or culture and helps to recuperate the notion of global citizenship.
ABADÁ-Capoeira is presently one of the strongest advertisers of Brazilian
culture in Brazil as well as overseas, conducting workshops, seminars, lectures
and projects. The organization hosts annual events, social campaigns and International
Encounters every two years. Projects include working with physically-challenged
children, people who are HIV positive and the elderly. Blood drives, peace and
ecological campaigns have been done in the past. Most importantly, the group
strives to instruct the youth of the art's philosophy: freedom, dedication,
perseverance and teamwork which can help them become leaders in anything they
decide to pursue in life.
We at ABADÁ-Capoeira understand that Capoeira is, and always was, both
an ancestral and futuristic art form. In this light, we believe that it should
be practiced with reverence, and it deserves from our part the same respect
and attention it was given by its originators. We also realized that Capoeira
must not cease to evolve. While preserving tradition, our work points towards
the future. Embracing change and advancement, seeking to give Capoeira the space
and freedom it demands to develop to its full potential. The art of Capoeira,
like the chameleon, seeks change as a way to preserve its own essence.
The ABADA-Capoeira New York City Chapter encourages its members to follow the
organization's ideals. In the past ACNYC has worked with the Isabella Geriatric
Home Center for the elderly, ASPIRA of N.Y., Inc., museums throughout the city,
and Project H.A.P.P.Y, a Hunter College Athletic Department Program that teaches
sports to children with disabilities. ACNYC currently teaches Capoeira in the
following educational facilities: Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
High School, Martin Luther King High School and Hunter College.
ABADA-Capoeira has effective representation in every state in Brazil and in
more than 30 countries. The organization currently has more than 40,000 members.
For more info on the International ABADA-Capoeira organization go to: (www.abadacapoeira.com.br).
The Benefits of Capoeira
The Rank System
Crua / Crua-Amarelo / Amarelo
These colors are designated for beginners, the Crua being a cord with no color
yet. The Yellow (or gold) represents the value of the new student, and what
will be developing after this level.
Amarelo-Laranja / Laranja / Laranja-Azul
The Orange cord level represents the Sun and the awakening of the consciousness.
Azul / Azul-Verde
The graduated student level, the blue represents the color of the ocean and
the realization of how immense the path is ahead.
Verde / Verde-Roxa
Green is the color of the forest and the lungs of the world. At this level,
the student focuses on making the group grow, and solidifying his/her instruction.
These students work to maintain the foundation of the group.
Roxa / Roxa-Marron
This is the reflection of the continuity of capoeira. At this level, the capoeiristas
seek to overcome physical, emotional, and spiritual pains in the search for
knowledge about capoeira, and supporting the group philosophy.
Marron / Marron-Vermelha
This color represents our style, "The Chameleon". It is from this
level that future Mestrandos, Mestres, and Grão Mestres are made.
Vermelha
"The Ruby" is the stone that represents fairness. It is at this level
that a capoeirista acquires a consciousness of his or her responsibility to
capoeira and seeks to live, teach, and make decisions with fairness.
Vermelha-Branco
The Mestres level. At this level, the capoeirista works to develop all of his
or her potential in the sense of bringing together and maintaining the ideas
and philosophy of the group. This level is a transformation where the capoeirista
is preparing to move to the highest rank in the ABADA organization. For that,
it is necessary to make decisions with certainty, precision, honesty, loyalty,
and above all wisdom and impartiality.
Branco
This level represents the diamond. It is the mineral that reflects all other
colors. It is the hardest and most resistant stone. It is in the color white
that all colors unite. It is through wisdom, patience, humility, loyalty, and
the sureness of purpose that our philosophy, traditions, and fundamentals are
maintained.
There is only one Grão Mestre in the group. All of the attributes are
concentrated in one person who has the most responsibility in deciding the destiny
of the group.
What is a Batizado?
Once a practitioner has reached a certain level of ability, skills and knowledge
of the art, he/she is then ready to partake in a batizado. In a batizado, a
beginner is “baptized” or initiated into the world of Capoeira.
The student is usually ready to be baptized after 6 months to a year of training.
In a batizado, the student has an opportunity to develop a deeper dialogue or
game with a master or highly skilled practitioner. Students who are advancing
in rank receive a new colored cord(belt) to represent their increasing knowledge
and insight in the Capoeira game. The participation of a student in this event
is one that has been anticipated by many students since their first days of
training. The event is a moment of happiness, joy and celebration.
At the event, the hosting Capoeira group invites other “capoeiristas”
(Capoeira practitioners). Capoeiristas are usually invited from Brazil and many
other places.
The event is spectacular. The new and advanced capoeiristas put on a performance for the audience. Capoeira may be the main attraction of the event, but it is usually not the only. Many types of afro-Brazilian folkloric dances and music such as, maculélé, puxada de rede and samba are presented. Maculélé is a stick-fighting dance that was created by the slaves in the sugar cane plantations. The dance is performed to a powerful percussive rhythm. Puxada de rede is a simulation of the fisherman going out to sea and giving thanks for their catch. It is performed along with a drum bass-like rhythm and chanting. Samba, the popular dance and music from Brazil, is presented live.
At the event, family, friends, guests and supporters of the art are all invited.
This is the big day for the student to show everyone what he or she has learned.
The batizado is similar to a graduation ceremony. Everyone is anxious and excited.
What is Maculele?
Capoeira Songs
Click here to learn about and listen to Capoeira songs
Student-written Articles
Click here to read articles written by ABADÁ-Capoeira students