ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco shares name and philosophy with the international ABADÁ-Capoeira organization, which was founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa (José Tadeu Carneiro Cardoso) and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ABADÁ is an acronym—ABADÁ-Capoeira, translated into English, stands for “Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira.”
Mestre Camisa developed his own philosophy and methodology for teaching capoeira by following the innovative concepts of his teacher, Mestre Bimba, the great master of capoeira regional. Mestre Camisa’s vision for ABADÁ-Capoeira is to be an organization that moves forward while keeping one foot in the past, maintaining tradition yet adapting to society’s changes.
The organization strives to improve and promote Capoeira, allowing it to reach its full potential as an internationally respected art form while maintaining its dignity, character, history, and traditions.
On May 28th, 2010, Mestre Camisa received an honorary doctorate degree, “Doutor Honoris Causa,” from the University of Uberlandia (Universidade Federal de Uberlândia). You can view the certifying document (PDF) here..
ABADÁ-Capoeira is driven by the lifelong commitments of Mestre Camisa, his brother Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, and the ten ABADÁ-Capoeira artists who have achieved the level of “Mestre/a” or “Mestrando/a,” the organization’s highest rankings. Today, ABADÁ-Capoeira is among the most representative Capoeira schools in the world, being present in more than 70 countries and with approximately 80,000 students.
THE ABADÁ STYLE
ABADÁ-Capoeira prides itself on the originality and constant refinement of its style of capoeira, renown for efficiency, aesthetics, and cultural and historical relevance. The original style of ABADÁ-Capoeira incorporates both of the two historical branches of capoeira, 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.
Members of ABADÁ-Capoeira believe that the study of capoeira involves dedication to all the various aspects of the art: technical mastery of the physical elements of capoeira, constant evolution of the technique to improve efficiency and prevent injury, understanding and preservation of capoeira’s rich history, ability to play and sing the music and instruments of capoeira, and participation in the larger capoeira community in Brazil and throughout the world.
Today the ABADÁ style is coveted by other capoeira organizations throughout the world and serves as a model for other capoeira schools and an example of the art form’s potential.
ADULT GRADUATION SYSTEM
INICIANTE (Beginner)
- Natural
- Natural/Yellow: Transition
- Yellow: “Gold”—signifies the value of the apprenticeship to be developed.
ALUNO/A (Student)
- Yellow/Orange: Transition
- Orange: “The Sun”—signifies the awakening of the consciousness of the apprenticeship.
- Orange/Blue: Transition
GRADUADO/A (Graduate)
- 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 and the apprenticeship is solidified. The foundation for the future of ABADÁ-Capoeira lies in this graduation.
- Green/Purple: Transition
INSTRUTOR/A (Instructor)
- Purple: “The Amethyst”—a 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’s ideals.
- Purple/Brown: Transition
PROFESSOR/A (Professor)
- Brown: “The Chameleon”—at this level the Capoeirista has assimilated the style of the group. From this graduation comes future Mestrandos, Mestres, and Grão Mestres.
- Brown/Red: Transition
MESTRANDO/A
- Red: “The Ruby”—the stone that symbolizes justice. In this graduation the capoeirista acquires responsibility toward capoeira and tries to make decisions and conduct his or her work with justice.
MESTRE/A (Master)
- Red/White: At this level, the capoeirista develops his or her potential in order to maintain ABADÁ’s ideals. It is a phase of transformation, preparing for the next level of Mestre.
- White: “The Diamond”—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 ABADÁ-Capoeira is Mestre Camisa, president and founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira. At this level, it is necessary to make decisions with precision, honesty, and, above all, wisdom and impartiality. It is through patience, humility, loyalty, and firm beliefs that the Mestre can maintain the organization’s philosophy, tradition, and principles.
GRÃO MESTRE
- This title in ABADÁ-Capoeira was held by Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, a first-generation Formado (graduate) of the famous Mestre Bimba, the founder and creator of Capoeira Regional da Bahia. Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa worked to support the ideals of ABADÁ-Capoeira.
YOUTH GRADUATION SYSTEM
When students reach the level of blue/orange, they remain at that level until the age of 16, at which time they transfer to the adult system.
No child under 16 is permitted to attain the “Graduate” level and title because the training program for that level is not appropriate for youth under the age of 16.
1. Natural
2. Ponta (tassel) Yellow/Natural
3. Ponta (tassel) Yellow
4. Ponta (tassel) Orange/Yellow
5. Ponta (tassel) Orange
6.Ponta (tassel) Blue/Orange
7. Ponta (tassel) Blue
8. Yellow/Natural
9.Yellow
10.Orange/Natural
11.Orange/Yellow
12.Orange
13.Blue/Natural
14. Blue/Yellow
15. Blue/Orange
