Learn · Train · Grow
Every cord
tells a story.
Explore the meaning of the cordão and the commitment behind each stage of your Capoeira journey.
More than a color.
Movement
Develop your game, timing, and partner awareness.
Music
Learn songs, rhythms, and instruments alongside movement.
Community
Growth also means supporting others and taking responsibility within the group.
Your path through the roda
Understand your next step.
Choose a stage to see the original cordão images, descriptions, and responsibilities.
Tucson Capoeira follows the United Capoeira Association’s cordão tradition. Progress is individual: your mestre considers your practice, knowledge, consistency, and contribution to the group.
Our philosophy is to respect all mestres, preserve Capoeira’s roots and traditions, and train it as a fight, art, and culture. Physical and mental training helps students create situations and maintain a dialogue within the game. Determination, commitment, challenging yourself, and learning from mistakes help you overcome the obstacles along the way.
The approximate training times below come from our original cordão guide. They are reference points, not deadlines or automatic promotion requirements.
Student foundations
Calouro, Level I has no cordão or a cordão branco, up 6 months of training White cordão signifies that rather than being seen as inexperienced, capoeirista are seen as being full of growth potential.
Verde, Level II ,approximately 6 months to 1.0 years of training Verde is the official first cordão given to the student when initiated or baptised into the world of Capoeira. Verde is expected to know basic foundations of capoeira.
Verde/Amarelo, Level III, approximately 2 years to 3 years of training Verde/Amarelo begins to gain an understanding of the game and is expected to have an understanding of most basic movements of capoeira , along with how to sing some songs and play instruments
Amarelo, Level IV, approximately 3 years to 4.5 years of training Amarelo is continuing to appreciate more about Capoeira, the game and themselves. Amarelo should demonstrate a basic understanding of the capoeira game and capoeirista is expected to know all basic and some advanced movements.
Azul/Verde, Level V, approximately 5 years to 5.5 years of training Azul/Verde is considered Intermediate/advanced level capoeiristas and this capoeirista is expected to have a deeper understanding of the capoeira game. Capoeiristas now are expected to utilize from the basic to advanced kick and acrobatic, ground moves combinations along with take downs. At this level, capoeiristas should also be capable of singing solos during a roda and playing all instruments. Azul/Verde is confident and ready; undoubtedly, he/she has earned the title ‘Capoeirista’. The student’s commitment begins to extend beyond that of simply training for themselves as he/she looks for ways to contribute to the group
Azul/Amarelo,Level VI, approximately 6 years to 7years of training Azul/Amarelo ‘s focus is on refining their technique, game skills and in obtaining total musical confidence. When this status is reached, capoeirista assessments expand to include their devotion to the group and their ability to help other capoeiristas and help teach class. The Capoeirista, by this stage, has shown enough dedication, commitment, understanding and skill within the world of Capoeira, that he/she begins to embark on a new phase; that of an instructor . When a capoeiristas reaches Cordao Azul and higher, a capoeirista assessments expand to include their devotion to the group and their ability to help other capoeiristas and help teach class. For this reason, it is difficult to surmise the amount of time it will take capoeiristas to move from one level to the next.” Students at this level are required to assist in teaching classes .
Teaching & responsibility
Azul, Level VII (Monitor) Azul earn the title of monitor at this level and begin learning how to teach to the lower levels. Azul is expected to fully incorporate a large variety of advanced movements, combinations and take downs in the capoeira game. They have a large repertoire of songs and can play any instrument. The student has had some experience teaching under supervision and has shown improvement in his/her game and teaching style. In order to gain teaching experience, he/she assists their own mestre in conducting classes, teaching music etc.
Azul com pouco Verde /Amarelo , Level VII (Formando) Azul com pouco Verde /Amarelo The level is just for graduate candidates–the graduating, it’s the stage of growth in between Monitor and Formado . Students enter a new stage of capoeira as they are assessed more on their teaching ability. A Formando who begins teaching class earns the title and respect of an instructor. Instructor at this level, capoeiristas continue to improve their skills, which now include teaching. They are very strong in the roda, and are equally strong in their instruction. Before graduating, the formando should be acknowledged and respected throughout the larger capoeira community, to develop relationships with Mestres of the capoeira world, and to be able to speak Portuguese.
Level VIII , Cordão Trançado (3 colors) Professor signifies the experience and commitment of the student and all the levels that have been surpassed. The capoeiristas at this level have proven themselves as skilled martial artists and proficient teachers. They are regarded very highly because of their progress and devotion to capoeira. Their malícia skills continue to increase, as they now apply the knowledge they’ve gained within the roda to their dealings with the outside world, and vice-versa. Students at this level are authorized to teach and have their own school under the guidance of their mestre.
Contramestre Level IX , Cordão Trançado (4 colors) Contramestre are not only some of the most important figures in their group, but in the world of capoeira itself. They are the right hand of their masters, and are so esteemed and honored that, even at this level, they are respected as masters. Formidable players in the roda, contramestre can seamlessly combine all of their skills into a fierce and relentless game. Students at this level are authorized to teach and have their own school under the guidance of their mestre.
The mestre tradition
Mestre is a traditional and valued title attributed to experienced Capoeira teachers after a long career of teaching.
Our original published guide lists these requirements for recognition:
- Nomination by a recognized, well-known teacher.
- Recognition by an official Capoeira confederation in Brazil, such as the Confederação Brasileira de Capoeira.
- Above all, recognition by the community and acceptance by the traditional mestres of the art.
These are the criteria described in our school’s original guide; recognition practices can differ across Capoeira traditions. The guide identifies four mestre stages:
Mestre de Primeiro Grau (First degree master) Level IX,Cordão Verde/Branco approximately 10 to 15 years in capoeira
Mestre de Segundo Grau (Second degree master) Level X,Cordão Amarelo/Branco approximately 15 to 20 years in capoeira
Mestre de Terceiro Grau (Third degree master) Level XI,Cordão Azul/Branco approximately 20 to 30 years in capoeira
Mestre (also called Grão Mestre – Mestrissimo – Mestre Cordão Branco) Level XII,Cordão Branco more than 30 years in capoeira It grants the Capoerista the maximum respect and admiration in the world of CAPOEIRA.
These descriptions preserve the school’s published cordão guide. Time in training alone does not guarantee promotion. Speak with Mestre Besouro about your own development.
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