Capoeira Batizado

The Batizado is an annual initiation ritual and ceremony which has evolved and morphed over the centuries, honoring the practice of Capoeira in a modern and global context. A student’s Batizado (Baptism) is the first time a student plays inside the Roda (Capoeira Playing Circle) with a Mestre de Capoeira (Master of Capoeira). It is an important rite of passage. Often, a student may receive a new nickname that they become known by, in the Capoeira World. In the past, students would train for many months before they set foot in the Roda. Today, although students may have experience playing inside the Roda, the Batizado is considered their first real experience of the Jogo de Capoeira (Game of Capoeira). It is the official welcome and blessing. Another important aspect of the Batizado is the ‘Troca de Cordelî’  (the exchange of belts). Mestres play one or more games with the older students and acknowledge their achievements by awarding them higher belts.