Festival dos Camaradas 2012 : Capoeira Camara Malaysia "Batizado"

Festival dos Camaradas 2012, Batizado, Capoeira Camara Malaysia. One of the most and great experiences ever for me for this year. My first belt, “Crua E Amarela” (White & Yellow). It might seem nothing for some people but it’s everything for me. A new kick-start for me! Never thought that ‘Batizado’ was this great! Thanks to Capoeira Camara Malaysia for the experience! And million thanks to Instrutor Soldado, the guy who keep on trained us during the class. And of course to Contra Mestre Bola, Professor Parabolica, Instrutor Pitbull, Instrutor Falcao, Instrutor Iaco and Graduado Ninja for the workshop and Rodas.

 

From left Instrutor Pitbull, Professor Parabolica, Instrutor Pitbull, Instrutor Falcao, Contra Mestre Bola, Instrutor Iaco and Instrutor Soldado. 

 

Not forget new friends Docura from Singapore; Touro and Olhinho from Jakarta; Xanco Singapore guys and Arroz from KL. And Miss Little Fairy a.k.a Miss Awesome a,k,a Fadinha and Pato who really work hard for Festival dos Camaradas 2012. Before I talk more about the Festival dos Camaradas 2012, here are some info and explanation about Batizado. Source from Wikipedia.

Batizado

 

A Batizado (literally baptism in Portuguese, and borrowed from the religious tradition) is normally an annual event for a Capoeira group in a region or country. The practice of Capoeira Batizados originates from Capoeira Regional, but has been widely used by Capoeira Contemporânea groups.

In Capoeira Regional, the tradition of the batizado is simply the first time a new student plays capoeira to the sound of the berimbau. In the batizado, the new student will play with a more advanced student, who takes care of the beginner, and helps them to develop their capoeira game. The Batizado welcomes new students into the school and strengthens community bonds. Mestre Bimba recognized the central importance of relationships in peoples' lives, and he worked hard to nurture these connections, with the aim to help people develop into happy, whole individuals. In the world of Capoeira Contemporânea, Batizados have developed in different directions with their own traditions, and while this is just as valid, it is so far from Bimba's creation that the only connection is in the name and not in its rituals.

In Capoeira Contemporânea, batizados are large events and are very important for the group organizing it. It is the point in the year where the new members will be baptized officially into the group and receive their first cords and where the other members depending on their progress will get a new one. A typical batizado will take several days and consist of workshops, the actual Batizado itself and a Troca das Cordas. Often many groups from more than one region will attend a Batizado for other groups. This allows for development of the game by contact with other players, teachers and styles.

 

Normally the Mestre of the group must be present during the proceedings, but historically this is not required.

In many schools, students are baptized by the floor -- that is, they play against higher level capoeiristas and are subsequently taken down by a rasteira. This is meant to signify a continual process of humility and improvement in the game. This ritual of giving a rasteira to the beginner is of modern creation, and is not apart of the original batizado ceromony that was created by Mestre Bimba.

Troca de Cordas

Literally the changing of the cords, cords signify the level of a capoeirista. During the troca de cordas some capoeiristas will receive a new corda before or after a game played against a Mestre (Master) in which they have to show their

advancement and earn the right to wear the new corda. The color schemes for the levels vary from group to group.

Source from : Wikipedia

 

I don’t think I’m going to share everything that happened during the Festival dos Camaradas 2012 as it was actually from 26 Sept – 30 Sept. (3 hari 3 malam tulis pun tak habis Joyah oiii) But here are some highlights for the whole Festival.

 26 Sept (Wed)

-       I missed out on the first workshop. The workshop started at 19:30pm and I reached Fairview International College around 21:30 pm.

 27 Sept (Thu)

-       Yeay! My first workshop. The warm up & training were harder than my usual training with Instrutor Soldado but I really enjoyed the workshop! I wish I could have that kind of training everyday. (anyway, I’m too excited – I don’t think I’m able to do that everyday even I really wish that I could) And I’m a bit upset after Contra Mestre Bola told us that the Street Roda in Central Market was going to be @5pm the next day. The actual agenda supposed to be @8pm. And I have something on until 5.30pm. =’(

 28 Sept (Fri)

-       Excited to the MAXimum when Pato (my senior capoeirista – Laranja level) called me around 5pm and told me that they haven’t started the Street Roda. And my luck! I reach the venue on time, few minutes before the capoeiristas started the roda together with Contra Mestre Bola & the Instrutors and of course with the Camara students too! Anyway, here are one of my fav picture during the Street Roda.  

Adorable! Don’t you think so? This 2 kids are 2 brothers, and Contra Mestre Bola called them Tico e Teco which means, Chip and Dale. Tell you what, they are even better than me! Like seriously. So for any of you guys who ever think that you cannot learn Capoeira because of your age, height, weight etc – put that negative thought away. It’s not about being young to learn Capoeira, it’s not about being slim to learn Capoeira but it is how you want to learn it. Everyone can learn Capoeira. It’s all about practice, and how you adapt what you’ve learned. Be flexible & discipline. And stamina too.


                                  

 

Instrutor Soldado & Contra Mestre Bola during Street Roda in Central Market

                                                

Instrutor Soldado & Contra Mestre Bola

 

-       Another excitement! On the agenda we were supposed to have only 2 workshops but guess what, Contra Mestre Bola asked all of us to gather at Fairview International College after the Street Roda. Yeay! Another awesome night!

29 Sept (Sat)

-       930am : Good start on Saturday morning! Yeay! Another training, Roda and a little discussion with Contra Mestre Bola. Unforgettable Roda when Contra Mestre Bola and all of the Instrutors play the Berimbaus & instruments while all of the Capoeiristas start clapping and singing while 2 capoeiristas fight inside the Roda. And hey! Contra Mestre Bola and all of the instructors can play the Berimbaus, instruments and sing very well. *meeowww*

-       8 pm. Brazilian Partaaayyy!!! Well, it’s more than a party for me. More like a relax time and enjoying the Brazilian environment. Again… Contra Mestre Bola & Instrutors play the instruments, while the capoeiristas & crowd enjoy the music and dance. Good time!

                              
 

30 Sept (Sun)

-       BATIZADO! Today is the day! At first I thought I'd never be able to get the belt. But when Instrutor Soldado called my name, my heart started beating really fast. The first name that he called was Berimbau followed by myself, Jumbo and Cabeleira. The moment Berimbau started the game, my heart beat faster than ever. And it was even faster than the feeling whenever I saw my crush before. (well, that’s a different story) Lol! And the moment Berimbau stepped out of the Roda. Instrutor Pitbull was in front of me, ready for the game. I breathed slowly, listened to the music and started with 'Au'. Unconsciously, the fear and nervousness disappeared. All I could hear were people singing, clapping and music that seemed to celebrate the fun inside the Roda. And when Instrutor Pitbull gave me the belt, “Crua E Amarela”, I just couldn't stop smiling. It’s a new beginning and a new spirit for me.



 

                                       


                                                

               Orang kuat Capoeira Camara Malaysia, Fadinha & Pato yang almost pengsan after Batizado tetapi dapat diselamatkan selepas makcik dan pakcik toilet buat CPR.

 

 Pato (yang mendapat kuasa luar biasa selepas diberi CPR oleh makcik cuci toilet) bersama Instrutor Falcao.

 

                                                   

       Graduado Ninja after Batizado!

                                     

  Great Sunday! Thanks to everyone! Waiting for the next Batizado!

 

 

We gonna miss you Contra Mestre Bola!

 

That's all for now!

Xoxo,

 

Gillette Flores