University Of Bristol Capoeira Society

THE BERIBAZU GROUP OF CAPOEIRA

The Beribazu Group of Capoeira was an idea dreamed by Mestre Zulu (Antonio Batista Pinto). It was born at 11^th, August, 1972 – at the Agricultural School of the Brazilian, Federal District. Its role is moe than just a group of Capoeira, but also a school with historical and educational background. It is a very highly respected and represented group around Brazil. Beribazu is recognised by Brazilian law. This group has official documents with principles and ethical procedures. It is a social institution that was build up also by collaborative work. The Beribazu’s coordinators always have good reputation in the Brazilian society.

The group set up in the Brazilian capital. However, it is present at others cities around Brazil: Vitoria – in the state of Espirito Santo; Sao Paulo; Joinville and Flrianopolis – in the state of Santa Catarina; and Recife – the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The Group Beribazu of Capoeira will  be 30 years old in August, 2002. The group was the responsible for one of the most important capoeira events in Brazil. It was called ‘Grande Roda Brasileira de Capoeira’. It happened every year and it was continuous from 1976 to 1994.

The aims of the Group of capoeira Beribazu is to make a synthesis of the dichotomy between capoeira Angola and capoeira regional. The members of the Beribazu group of Capoeira tend to develop studies and research about capoeira according their academic backgrounds. Most of  Beribazu’s teachers have academicals skills from different educational backgrounds (Physical Educators, Pedagogical, Sociologist, and others)

Mestres: Mestre Falcao, Mestre Luiz Renato, Mestre Onca, Meste Dionizio, Mestre Fabio, Mestre Sardinha, Mestre Divino, Mestre Abdi, Mestre Abimar, Mestre Jorge. There are also former mestres who no longer have work in capoeira teaching: Mestre Odilon, Mestre Iris, and Mestre Carlos.

Mestre Zulu left the group in 1994. He had personal reasons and he was putting his life for different directions. Then, he created the ‘Council of Masters’ which has managed the Group of capoeira Beribazu since 1994.

ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE BERIBAZU GROUP OF CAPOEIRA IS TO PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL AFRO-BRAZILIAN MANIFESTATIONS ALONG CAPOEIRA

Maculele – It represents a warrior’s dance with sticks. It has drums based giving the rhythm for the fight. It is a traditional dance-fight original from Africa and developed in the Brazilian colony for slaves working in sugar cane plantation

Samba de Roda (Circle of Samba) and Capoeira on Streets - This is the party of the people of the several cities of Brazil like Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. Men and women unite to celebrate life, love and popular culture with energy, singing, and musical instruments. This is the samba of the people. At the same time, capoeira is a way for passing time and an enjoyable game. However, it was hard to enjoy its life due to the police repression to capoeira and others Afro-Brazilian manifestations.

‘The Fisherman’s Ritual and Dance’ – Puxada de Rede - It presents the hard work under the tropical sun, but this work is done with energy since black people sing to the drum beats which give harmony and beauty to the and from movement of dragging the fishing nets.