Capoeira to the third power
Mediated competitions do not exist in Capoeira. The only structured event is known as a "Batizado".
The translation is "Baptism", and for most of us, that is exactly what it was. Until our group hosted
its first, the only exposure the majority of us had had was the training and playing amongst ourselves,
all amateurs, and getting our minds blown by Mindinho's amazing abilities. Our Batizado, entitled
"Capoeira to the Third Power", was the first time most of us had kept company with so many respected
and experienced Capoeiristas, including several Mestres: Mestre Boneco (Los Angeles)- cofounder of
Capoeira Brasil, the first to bring the group to the United States, and Mindinho's Mestre from 1994 ;
Mestre Paulinho Sabia (Niteroi)- a second of the group's three original cofounders; Mestre Mao Branca
(Belo Horizonte): Mestre Suino (Goiania); Mestre Toni Vargas (Rio de Janeiro); Mestre Cabeca (Sergipe);
Mestre Nestor Capoeira (Rio de Janeiro); Contra Mestre Jo (New York).This fantastic assembly of veteran
Capoeiristas exposed us to our first taste of the true depth of the history, culture, expression,
and the multitude of other components that make up this unique art form. Mindinho felt it was important
to use this living store of knowledge as the foundation for this event. He wanted to help us understand
the richness of the history and tradition of which we were now a small part. It was a very emotional
experience. For us to be awakened to the vastness of this new world was overwhelming. For the gathering
of Mestres, to be a part of a Roda oveflowing with such emotion was equally powerful. Mestre Toni actually
stopped the Roda cold simply to announce his feelings to that end, and did so with a tear in his eye.
It was difficult for those of us with no frame of reference at the time to understand just how precious
this type of Roda is, but it was also impossible not to see that something profoundly special was taking
place, and what an honor it was to participate.