Abada-Capoeira
PHILOSOPHY
Abada-Capoeira main objective is to promote Capoeira and Brazilian culture, and to use it as an important vehicle and example for social integration and individual growth. Our philosophy is to present our culture to all social groups and classes. By doing so, we want to keep our roots alive and flourishing.
Abada-capoeira incorporates a multi-level philosophy for the development of Capoeira. The philosophy includes the relentless pursuit of the technical mastery of Capoeira, on both student and teaching levels; the utilization of the art of Capoeira as a pedagogic tool, as well as an artistic and cultural resource; and the transformation of student into teacher, through teacher-student exchanges and reciprocal enlightenment, thus keeping alive the original value systems of the early Capoeira masters, their culture and their life experiences.
Abada-capoeira seeks to promote cultural and human values based on respect, socialization and freedom. It hopes to accomplish these goals by spreading the art of Capoeira in and through universities, schools, clubs, associations and diverse communities. It also hopes to emphasize the lessons inherent in its Brazilian cultural and historic roots, and by doing so, promoting social integration between people of different backgrounds and classes, while keeping sight of its social goals. Abada-capoeira also seeks to instill good character, dignity and strong personal values in its students.
We at Abada-capoeira understand that Capoeira is, and always was, both an ancestral and future-oriented art form. It is the living expression and embodiment of a people that fights for liberty. In this light, we believe 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 realize that Capoeira must not cease to evolve. While preserving the values involved, our work points toward the future, embracing changes and advancements, seeking to give Capoeira the space and freedom it demands for it to develop to its full potential. The art of Capoeira, like the chameleon, seeks change as a way to preserve its own essence.
The main focus of the Abada-Capoeira philosophy is to be found in both Mestre Bimba’s Capoeira Regional style and the lessons of Capoeira Angola. It is at this junction where the evolution of Capoeira lies, and where its future is discovered hidden in its past.
Abada-Capoeira prides itself on the originality and constant refinement of its style of Capoeira, renown for efficiency, athletics, and cultural and historical relevance. The original style of Abada-capoeira seeks to incorporate both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernizing innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art.
Abada-capoeira believes that the study of Capoeira involves dedication to all the various aspects of the art, including the relentless pursuit of technical mastery of the physical elements of Capoeira; constant evolution of the technique to improve efficiency and preventing injury; understanding of and reverence for Capoeira’s rich history; individual competence and knowledge of the music and instruments of Capoeira; preservation and recovery of the instruments, rhythms, and games of Capoeira; and participation in the larger Capoeira community, in Brazil and throughout the world.
Abada-capoeira’s teaching methodology is both challenging and supportive, rooted in the belief that encouragement and positive role-modeling enable Capoeira to enrich the lives of all students, regardless of level or background. Abada-capoeira provides all students with leadership skills and tools to develop into competent professionals.
Abada-capoeira in the Washington area shares name and philosophy with the international organization of 60,000 members, founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa, and based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The acronym Abada-capoeira, translated into English, stand for “Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira”
Today, Abada-capoeira is the largest and most successful Capoeira organization in the world. It is represented throughout Brazil and in over 50 countries — including Angola, Israel, Japan, Tahiti, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, England, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Mexico, Australia and the U.S.A.
Mestre Camisa developed his own philosophy and methodology for teaching Capoeira by following the innovative concepts of his teacher, the great Master of Capoeira Regional, Mestre Bimba. Mestre Camisa’s vision for Abada- capoeira has been to create an organization that strives to move forward by keeping one foot in the past and one foot in the future, maintaining tradition while adapting to society’s changes.
The organization strives to improve and promote Capoeira — allowing it to reach its full potential as an internationally respected martial art, while maintaining its dignity, character, history, and traditions.
The organization is driven by the life-long commitments of Mestre Camisa, his brother Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, and the highest-ranked Abada-capoeira artists who have achieved the level of “Mestre” or “Mestrando/a.”
GRADUATION SYSTEM
BEGINNER
Crua (Natural)
STUDENT
Natural-yellow – First transition
Yellow – “The Gold” – signifies the value of the apprenticeship to be developed
Yellow-orange – Transition
Orange – “The “Sun” – signifies the awakening of the consciousness of the apprenticeship
Orange-blue – Transition
GRADUATED STUDENT
Blue – “The “Sea” – signifies the consciousness of the immensity of the path that is ahead
Blue-green – Transition
Green – “The “Forest” – signifies the lungs of the world. It is in this graduation that the strength of the work is concentrated, as is the solidification of the apprenticeship. In this graduation lies the foundation of the future of Abadá-capoeira
Green-purple – Transition
INSTRUCTOR
Purple – “The Amethyst”- This is the reflection of the continuity of Capoeira. In this graduation one works to overcome physical, psychological, and spiritual pains in the search for knowledge of Capoeira and the defense of Abadá-capoeira’s ideals
Purple-Brown – Transition
PROFESSOR
Brown – “The “Chameleon” – At this level the Capoeirista has assimilated the style of the group. From this graduation comes future Mestrandos, Masters, and Grand Masters
Brown-red – Transition
MESTRANDO (A)
Red – “The “Ruby” – is the stone that symbolizes justice. It is this graduation in which the Capoeirista acquires responsibility towards Capoeira and tries to conduct their work and make decisions with justice.
MESTRE
Red-white – In this graduation the Capoeirista tries to develop their potential in order to concentrate and maintain Abada-capoeira’s ideals. It is a phase of transformation, because the Mestre is preparing to obtain the highest graduation in Abada-capoeira’s system.
White – “The “Diamond” – The “Diamond” is the hardest and most resilient mineral. It reflects all colors and all colors are united in white. The only person who holds this title in Abada-Capoeira is Mestre Camisa, President and founder of Abada-Capoeira. At this level of Mestre, it is necessary to make decisions with precision, honesty and, above all, wisdom and impartiality. It is through wisdom, patience, humility, loyalty and firm beliefs that the Mestre can maintain the organization’s philosophy, tradition, and principles.
GRÃO MESTRE
This title in Abada-Capoeira was held by Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, a first-generation Formado of the famous Mestre Bimba, the founder and creator of Capoeira Regional da Bahia. Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa worked to support the ideal of Abada-Capoeira. He remains as Abada-Capoeira Grão Mestre ‘in memorian’.
Youth Graduation System
(3 to 16 years old)
Important note: The youth’s graduation system was recently reformed to better serve the progress of the little ones, now starting capoeira even younger. This is the new system that will allow them to progress normally and at the same time will give them time to mature until they can become graduados.
BEGINNER
Crua (Natural)
STUDENT
Crua com uma ponta amarela (Natural with one Yellow tassel) – 3 years old
Crua com pontas amarelas (Natural with Yellow tassel) – 4 years old
Crua com pontas amarela-laranja (Natural with Yellow-orange tassel) – 5 years old
Crua com pontas amarela-laranja (Natural with Yellow-orange tassel) – 5 years old
Crua com pontas laranja-azuil (natural with Orange-blue tassel) – 7 years old
Crua com pontas azuis (natural with Blue tassel) – 8 years old
Crua-amarela (Natural-yellow) – First transition – at least 9 years old
Amarela (Yellow), “The Gold” – signifies the value of the apprenticeship to be developed – at least 10 years old
Crua-laranja (Natural-orange) – Transition – at least 11 years old
Amarela-laranja (Yellow-orange) – Transition – at least 12 years old
Laranja (Orange), “The “Sun” – signifies the awakening of the consciousness of the apprenticeship – at least 13 years old
Crua-azul (Natural-blue) – Transition – at least 14 years old
Amarela-azul (Yellow-blue) – Transition – at least 15 years old
Laranja-azul (Orange-blue) – Transition – at least 16 years old
After a student reaches the level of Orange-blue, he/she will can only receive the Blue Cord (Graduated Student level), when he/she turns 17 years old, and after that the student will follow the adults graduation system.
MESTRES & MESTRANDOS
Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa (in memorian)
Mestre Camisa
Mestre Cobra
Mestre Charm
Mestre Morcego
Mestre Canguru
Mestra Edna
Mestra Márcia Cigarra
Mestre Pernilongo
Mestre Apache
Mestre Paulinho Velho
Mestre Piriquito Verde
Mestrando Bode
Mestrando Cascão
Mestrando Tigre
Mestrando Arisco
Mestrando Brucutu
Mestrando Dody
Mestrando Mobília
Mestrando Pretinho
Mestrando Rato
Mestrando Sorridente
Mestrando Taturana
Mestrando Arpoador
Mestrando Carnauba
Mestrando Cavalo
Mestrando Coala
Mestrando Diguinho
Mestrando Estacio
Mestrando Goma
Mestrando Jockey
Mestranda Juma
Mestrando Morceguinho
Mestrando Parafuso
Mestrando Pretão
Mestrando Teco
Mestrando Barriga
Mestrando Cafuzo
Mestrando Camaleão
Mestrando Canário
Mestrando Cancão
Mestrando Cocá
Mestrando Davisão
Mestranda Gigi
Mestrando Madeira
Mestrando Papagaio
Mestrando Sapão
Mestrando Taquinha