History of Capoeira | Abada Capoeira | Abada Capoeira @ RPI | Batizado
History of Capoeira
The origins of Capoeira extend back to the slavery era in Brazil. Similar to slavery in the US, Africans were brought to the country of Brazil the Portuguese. In many instances, these slaves were from different regions or tribes in Africa. In Brazil, these slaves created a new culture for themselves and the development of the early stages of capoeira was part of it. After the outlaw of slavery in Brazil in 1888, many ex-slaves moved to various cities. There, the once cultural expression would become violent. Many thugs and gangsters then started using Capoeira as a way to elude the police. The officials saw that Capoeira was becoming a problem so they made it illegal. The prohbition of Capoeira made the art fall into a dismal state, but one man sought to bring Capoeira out of darkness, Mestra Bimba.
Mestre Bimba would become one of the most prominent masters of Capoeira. He opened the first Capoeira Academy in 1932. He also developed a new style of Capoeira called "Regional Capoeira" which was adapted from the old-style "Angola Capoeira." With his efforts, he influenced policitians to establish Capoeira as Brazil's national sport. From then on, Capoeira flourished in Brazil. Mestre Bimba passed away in 1974 at the age of 75.
Founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa, Abadá Capoeira is the world’s largest organization of Capoeira. Abadá Capoeira, which is based out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is present in over 16 countries internationally with approximately 40,000 members. ABADÀ is an acronym which stands for Associação Brasiliera de Apoio e Desenvolvimento da Arte-Capoeira and translates into Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira. The mission of Abada Capoeira is to spread the art of Capoeira throughout the world and encourage its students to master capoeira techniques. Abadá Capoeira also encourages individual growth, respect, good character and dignity.
Abadá Capoeira has been in existence here at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for only a short time. Miguel “Pezinho” Tejeda came to RPI in 2000 as a freshman. He had been training Capoeira since high school in New York City under Instructor Furacão. In the Capital District area, there are no other facilities that teach the art of Capoeira. By doing his part to help fulfill the mission of Abadá Capoeira, Pezinho did his best to spread the art and culture of Capoeira in RPI, but finally in Fall 2004, he succeeded and Abadá Capoeira was established here at RPI. Fortunately for this budding capoeira group, Instructor Furacão, Graduado Milho and Pastor at Abadá Capoeira NYC make the three hour journey from New York City to RPI to teach Capoeira. Although Capoeira is new here at RPI, it plans to stay and to inspire students to be capoeiristas.
Batizado, which in English translates to"baptism", is a ceremony of celebration held every year that initiates new students into capoeira. The new students are given a nickname which is a tradition that was started in the time era when Capoeira was illegal in Brazil. It also gives more advanced capoeiristas an opportunity to advance in rank to a new color cord. To advance, students play other students and instructors in the "roda." Going to batizado should be an exciting event that will give you a real idea of the essence of Capoeira.
