Posted by: Corey Jones 6th Dec 2011 0

♫ Paranaue…Paranaue…Parana! ♫ Don’t ask me how that translates in English, because I couldn’t exactly tell you. However, I sang it all weekend long at the First Capoeira Resistência Dallas Batizado and Convention. It happened right at AMS Pictures, which was the perfect venue for this fun-filled event.

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art played in a circle or ‘roda’ (pronounced ho-da), as other people sing, clap, and play several musical instruments, most notably the berimbau. Capoeira players are known as capoeiristas. Sparring is a centerpiece of capoeira just like other martial arts practices.  However, the sparring in capoeira is also considered a light-hearted game amongst the capoeiristas, and playing does not usually focus on overpowering the opponent, but rather emphasizes speed and skill. As a student you learn history, Portuguese, music, self defense, dance and gymnastics. It is a great exposure to Brazilian culture and an awesome way to unite people.

Over 90 people from around the United States filled AMS Pictures’ Studio A to watch and play capoeira or study with capoeira master instructors (Mestres) and professors who traveled quite a way themselves, some even from Brazil. The large room was great for practice and the actual ceremony had special lighting which set the mood just right.

The batizado or “baptism” is a special ceremony where capoeira students receive their cords and present all they have learned to the capoeira community. The music and instruments are loud and the singing and clapping is forceful. You can’t help but move to the beats. Students ages 3 to 30+ sparred with each other and with the visiting mestres to receive their first cords, including myself. I now wear my first cordão – verde (green) proudly.

So I say congratulations to my teacher, Professor Molejo and Capoeira Resistência for the successful event. Thanks to all of the mestres and professors who came to share their capoeira wisdom. Congratulations to my fellow students short and tall who received their cords, and thank you to AMS Pictures for the awesome space.

By the way, I’m still humming, ♪ Paranaue, Paranaue, Parana! ♬ I’ll figure out the meaning at some point…