Capoeira Mandinga, is a school of Capoeira that combines Capoeira Regional, Capoeira Angola, and Miudinho. Mestre Paulo Batuta established Capoeira Mandinga, San Diego, in 1999 with the consent of Mestre Marcelo “Caveirinha” Pereira, founder of the Capoeira Mandinga in the United States.
LOCATIONS:
MAIN LOCATION: 3780 Hancock Street, Suite F, San Diego, CA 92110.
We also hold classes throughout the greater San Diego area including:
UCSD – University of California San Diego- Rimac,
SDSU – San Diego State University-Aztec Gym,
CVRC – Chula Vista Recreation Center-Women Fitness Club,
Oh la la Dance Center, in La Jolla,
And, at various school sites for afterschool programs.
OUR SCHOOL In our Capoeira School, we train vigorously to improve skill, physical endurance, mental strength, and self-expression. We practice songs and percussion instruments, including the berimbau, pandeiro, atabaque, and the agogo, which are used in the roda (the Portuguese word for circle, and where the game of capoeira is played). We are educated in the history, traditions, customs, and etiquette of Capoeira. Throughout the year, in addition to our routine training, we host special workshops in Capoeira, dance and percussion, attend special events throughout the states and abroad, and put on shows throughout the community.
Individuals take on leadership roles as each has something unique to contribute to the work of our group. Most importantly, we work as a team supporting each other, and for many, Capoeira Mandinga has even become like an extended family.
EVENTS Our group hosts three special Capoeira events to promote an exchange in skill, arts, culture and celebration among the local and international Capoeira community. These events consist of Capoeira, dance and music workshops, discussion panels, student promotion ceremonies, performances, and of course, in the true spirit of Brazilian culture, celebration parties. Capoeira Mestres (Masters) and students travel from around the world to participate. The most important event for our Capoeira school is the Annual International Capoeira Convention and Graduation, est. 2000. Mestre Paulo Batuta, the leader of Capoeira Mandinga, produces Brazilian Day, San Diego, Street Fair and Parade, est. 2008, the largest Brazilian festival on the west coast. The Women’s International Capoeira Convention, est. 2008, and the Tem Que Ter Axé International Capoeira Convention, est. 2009, take place every other year to accompany the Brazilian Day festival.
PERFORMING ARTS SHOWS Planet Brazil is our performing arts sector of the academy. We put on public, private, and charitable shows, as a commitment we have with educating and entertaining the community in Brazilian culture and Fine Arts. Our performances captivate audiences with stunning Capoeira and vibrant Brazilian folkloric dances (samba de roda, maculelê, samba reggae, puxada de rede, dança do coco). The contagious rhythms of the batucada (samba percussion band) and the beautiful carnival style samba dancers keep audiences moving to the beat.
RANKING SYSTEM Capoeira Mandinga uses cords (cordões) as a ranking system. These cords are awarded at the Annual Capoeira Convention and Graduation. Before the event, the Capoeira Master determines what students will move up in rank, based on skill, experience, and dedication. Batizado, meaning baptism in Portuguese, is the ceremony in which students are awarded their first cord. Although, it is not religious, it is symbolic of the beginning of a student’s journey into Capoeira. In subsequent years, students advance to the next level in the Troca de Cordões (Change of Cords).
Capoeira Mandinga cords are the colors of the Brazilian flag. Green is the first cord, followed by combinations of yellow, then blue and ultimately white. Cords with color combinations have one that dominates over the other. Basic levels are as follows, yet color combinations may vary.
Student
Children: light green, light green and yellow
Adults:
Green
Green/yellow
Yellow
Green/ blue
Yellow/ blue
Instructor
Blue
Professor
Blue/ yellow/ green
Contra Mestre (Co- Master)
Blue/ yellow/ green/ white
Master
Green/ white
Yellow/ white
Blue/ white
White
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