Capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-eh-da) is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, self-defense techniques and music.  The techniques of Capoeira are hidden within its dance-like movements and music. The berimbau, a string-like instrument which traces its origins to Angola, is the primary instrument used in Capoeira.  The berimbau sets the rhythm, pace and characteristics of each game.  

Accompanying the berimbau are the atabaque (drum), the pandeiro (tambourine), and the agogô(cowbells). To the beat of the music, practitioners, or capoeiristas, demonstrate their abilities by using combinations of kicks, leg sweeps and acrobatics.  Capoeira is played in a circle called roda (pronounced ho-da) formed by fellow classmates.  Those forming the roda are as important to the game of Capoeira as the pair playing inside the roda as they clap, sing and play instruments, passing on their energy and support to the players.

Origins & History
The art of Capoeira was created by enslaved Africans brought to Brazil in the 1500s as a form of self-defense to fight the oppression of their masters.  The practice of the art not only served as a self-defense form but also served as a spiritual and self-empowering activity.

Slaves' owners believed Capoeira was just an African manifestation being practiced on the plantation fields. Thus, disguising Capoeira as a dance to confuse their masters, slaves practiced their martial art. However, in the 1800s the art of Capoeira began to be suspected as more than just a dance.   When slaves' masters finally realized slaves were practicing a form of self-defense, the practice of Capoeira was outlawed in 1892.  A Capoeira practitioner had become a synonym of 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, practitioners continued practicing Capoeira and prevented the art from vanishing.

It was not until the 1930s when former president of Brazil Getúlio Vargas lifted the ban on Capoeira, after seeing an impressive presentation by one of the greatest Capoeira masters of all times, Mestre Bimba. 
After this performance Capoeira was declared a national Brazilian sport and Mestre Bimba, was granted permission to open the first legal Capoeira school in Brazil
Today, Capoeira has transcendent frontiers and is practiced by individuals of all walks of life. 

The Batizado
A Batizado (pronounced bah-chee-zah-do) is a graduation ceremony in which new students have the opportunity to play with an older Capoeira practitioner or master, and older students move up in rank.

Once a practitioner has reached a certain level of skills and knowledge of the art, he/she is then ready to partake in a Batizado where a beginner student is  'baptized' or initiated into the world of Capoeira.  In a Batizado, the student has the opportunity to develop a deeper dialogue or game with a master or highly skilled practitioner. It is also at the Batizado where new students are 'baptized' with a nickname, which is given by his teacher many times based on something distinctive about the way he plays, anecdote, etc. 

The tradition of the nickname dates back to the outlawed period of Capoeira.  Practitioners acquire an apelido or nickname, to hide their identities from the police.  At the Batizado, 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. 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, maculelê, puxada de rede and samba are presented.