The belts in Capoeira are a symbol of the students experience, commitment and knowledge...
The graduation process in capoeira is long, taking usually over 20 years to reach a master belt!
- White (Raw Cord)
(Aluno): Students begin their Capoeira training at this level. The
Corda Crua, translated as Raw Cord, signifies that rather than being
seen as inexperienced, students are seen as being full of potential for
- Yellow | White (Aluno): Typically this is a cord given to students to welcome them to the world of Capoeira.
- Yellow (Aluno): At this level students begin to
demonstrate an understanding of the Capoeira game, and have a basic
knowledge of the movements, such as kicks and ground techniques, as well
as music. Students know the choruses to many songs and are starting to
- Yellow | Orange (Aluno): Transitional cord.
- Orange (Aluno): At this level students have a much
deeper understanding of the Capoeira game. They now begin utilizing many
different kicks and acrobatic movements. At this level, students are
also capable of singing solos during a roda and playing many different
- Orange | Blue (Aluno): Students at
this level now fully incorporate a large variety of kicks and acrobatic
movements, have a large repertoire of songs, and can play all
- Blue (Graduado): At this level, students earn the
title of “Graduado”, which means “Graduated”. In a sense, this is a new
beginning for students, a new “Corda Crua”, because, as mentioned
before, assessments are based more on teaching ability, which is a new
step for students. They must learn to share their own knowledge with
- Blue | Green (Graduado): Transitional cord.
- Green (Instrutor): At this level, Capoeiristas
continue to improve on their skills overall, which now includes the
ability to teach. They are very strong in the roda, and are equally as
strong when teaching a class. Their strength comes from their ability to
incorporate malandragem, or deviousness, into their game. It’s
malandragem that gives Capoeiristas their ability to surprise and
confuse their opponents.
- Green | Purple (Instructor): Transitional cord.
- Purple (Professor): To reach this level,
Capoeiristas must not only have proven themselves to be skilled martial
artists, but also proficient teachers. Professors are regarded very
highly, as they have come very far and have devoted their lives to being
part of Capoeira. Their malandragem skills continue to increase, since
they now have the ability to apply the knowledge they’ve gained over the
years to their dealings in the outside world, and vice-versa.
- Purple | Brown (Professor): Transitional cord.
- Brown (Contra-mestre): Contra-mestre are not only
some of the most important figures of their group, but in the world of
Capoeira itself. They are the right hand of the Mestres within their
group, and are so esteemed and honored that, even at this level, they
are respected as Mestres. Formidable players in the roda, Contra-mestre
can seamlessly combine all of their skills into a fierce and relentless
- Brown | Black (Contra-mestre): Transitional cord.
- Black (Mestre): This is the apex for students of
Capoeira; the highest and hardest level to achieve. Mestres are
legendary for their skill, wisdom, and tact both inside and out of the
roda. They have solidified their Capoeira games by consolidating all of
the physical skills they’ve learned through their years of training with
the cunning and trickery they’ve learned through their life experience.
Mestres comprise the top echelon of all Capoeira groups, and it is
therefore their right to oversee and supervise the on-goings of the
group they lead.