Capoeira batizado coming up? Getting your first cordão? Wondering what it’s all about, what’s going to happen and whether or not you’re ready? Fear not, in this article Capoeira Science will debunk any fears you may have and get to the bottom of what the capoeira batizado really means. We also take a brief look at the history of the batizado ceremony and how it has changed over the years.

Batizado translated means baptism. In capoeira a batizado is when a new student is officially welcomed into the group as a serious practioner – a capoeirista – and given a special belt called a cordão. It’s a time of celebration, not a test. It’s the chance to take part in some really incredible capoeira rodas, meet visiting mestres, do special workshops, deepen your understanding of capoeira and really enjoy yourself!

The history of the Batizado

The story of the Batizado, like many things in capoeira’s pedagogy begins with the creator of Capoeira Regional - Manoel do Reis Machado, also known as Mestre Bimba.

Mestre Bimba introduced the batizado as a naming ceremony for beginner students who had been training for long enough to have partial mastery over a predefined series of movements. In the original capoeira batizado there were no sweeps, Mestre Bimba considered the rasteira too dangerous a movement for this level. After the batizado a student was named and given a coloured silk scarf. The colours changed as the student moved up through capoeira’s ranks, with the final colour being white and indicating Mestre.

Why silk scarves? This was in homage to the sharp dressing capoeiristas and malandros of old who wore silk scarves around their necks to protect from razor slashes. Silk will stop a razor slash.

Over time silk scarves became belts - cordões, then as capoeira organisations formed and diverged so did their systems of belts. Today, each major groups has it’s own system

Do all capoeira groups have batizados?

No. Capoeira Angola does not have batizados. However Angola Mestres are often present at such events as they may be contracted to teach workshops.

When will I receive my first cordão?

The time taken for this to happen depends on the group but it is usually between 3 and 12 months after starting training. For the first batizado in particular, the amount of time a student has been with the capoeira group is more important than any ability or skill accumulated.

Depending on the group, batizados generally occur between one and two times a year.

What happens at a capoeira batizado?

The batizado ceremony involves a student playing a game of capoeira with one or more Mestres or high-level, graduated students. The game often but not always ends with a friendly take-down (at lower levels) and the student is awarded the first belt or cordão. Some groups opt to give a student a name at this point, other groups let a name come about naturally throughout the course of life.

You can only be baptised once! Subsequent belts are known as troca de corda. The ceremony however remains pretty much the same except the Mestres may apply increasing amounts of pressure as a student moves up the cords.

Capoeira Batizado FAQ

I have been told I am getting my first cordão - how do I prepare for my batizado?

Relax! It’s not a test. You have been told you are getting your first cordão. If you don’t actually turn up, faint during, or whatever you will probably still get your cordão (don’t quote me on this). I repeat, it’s not a test. Your appearance in class, and attitude have been deemed worthy of a cordão. A capoeira batizado is a celebration. It’s your day to have fun with your friends and be part of some incredible capoeira.

Help! Everyone else seems to have been told that they are getting their first cordão but my Mestre has not said anything to me. I have been training just as long as them. What do I do?

Relax! Your teacher may have overlooked you. I have seen this happen on the day more than once due to adminstrational errors, you’re dealing with artists not accountants! Capoeira classes can be busy places and Mestres are not gods, despite what they may have you believe. Speak to your teacher and if you don’t know how to go about this, phrase it with a question – something like “I have been training for … months now and I was wondering do you think I’m ready for my first cordão”. Teachers want keen students, the alternative for them is starvation or a different job ;-)

Worst case scenario your teacher wants to see something in particular from you, in which case you will be able to begin work on that aspect of your training sooner rather than later.