Pursuing the History
While thousands of capoeiristas around the world prepare to descend upon San Paulo for one of the most anticipated events of the Cordão de Ouro group this year, it's hard to believe that 50 years ago the world-famous school didn't even exist.
CDO History
1965
In 1965 a talented young capoeirista left the capoeira capital of Salvador, Bahia to pursue his dream of spreading the art around Brazil. He arrived in Sao Paulo, one of the Brazil's largest cities, where many settlers from the same region came in search for a better life.
He quickly realized that his mission would be much harder than expected. Capoeira was still very far from being accepted by society, and there were just a few capoeiristas scattered around the city.
He quickly realized that his mission would be much harder than expected. Capoeira was still very far from being accepted by society, and there were just a few capoeiristas scattered around the city.
1967
While in Sao Paulo he connected with Mestre Brasilia and other masters from Bahia, and in September 1967 they created "The Association of Capoeira Cordão de Ouro". Because of his outstanding charisma and talent he very quickly became the heart and soul of the growing capoeira scene of Sao Paulo.
1960s
Although capoeira was already legal in the 1960s, it was still widely marginalized and frowned upon by the government, police, and higher class. It was extremely difficult to find a proper and stable place to teach, forcing the masters to change gyms often. Capoeiristas were sometimes prosecuted by the law, making it hard to promote the classes and find new students. Through all these hardships, like sleeping on the bench of the central bus station or being falsely accused and imprisoned, Mestre Suassuna remained faithful to his vision. These were only few of his ordeals along the way.
Grupo Cordão de Ouro was quickly growing and becoming recognized. Soon after the opening of the school, Mestre Brasilia deepened in his development of the Angola style and decided to follow his ow path. Mestre Suassuna focused on the Regional style and many generations of great players known for their outstanding technique and recognizable style graduated his academy.
Grupo Cordão de Ouro was quickly growing and becoming recognized. Soon after the opening of the school, Mestre Brasilia deepened in his development of the Angola style and decided to follow his ow path. Mestre Suassuna focused on the Regional style and many generations of great players known for their outstanding technique and recognizable style graduated his academy.
1970
The first generation of instructors graduated in 1970. By that time the group had already gained popularity and Mestre Suassuna surrounded himself with many loyal students. In those years he also released his first music album.
1980-1990s
Between the 1980s and 1990s, as capoeira started to gain popularity in Brazil on its way to become a national sport, Mestre Suassuna noticed that many of the traditional characteristics of the game he loved were being forgotten. Capoeiristas played very aggressively and far from each other. The beautiful movements on the floor were rarely
seen. In reaction to this tendency, Mestre Suassuna developed a unique training method, forcing his advanced students to play in a very small circle, fluidly connecting one movement to another.
seen. In reaction to this tendency, Mestre Suassuna developed a unique training method, forcing his advanced students to play in a very small circle, fluidly connecting one movement to another.
Today
With time, elaborate sequences were developed alongside a new rhythm on the berimbau, atabaque and pandeiro. It was such an unusual way to play that it immediately attracted a lot of attention and soon developed into an individual style called "miudinho". Gradually miudinho became a distinction mark of the entire group Cordão de Ouro. Half a century since, Cordão de Ouro has become one of the largest capoeira groups in the world.
From 9th to 13th August 2017
Cordão de Ouro will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Sao Paulo.
Cordão de Ouro will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Sao Paulo.
The event will bring together masters, students, and friends from all over the world. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to enjoy classes together with masters, who will train along, rodas, shows, and a festive formatura, during which a new generation of professors will be welcomed. A highlight of the weekend will be the historical moment of presenting white belts to the oldest generation of masters.
If you plan a trip to the anniversary, take a couple of additional days to see Sao Paulo — you will definitely find something to entertain yourself. The before weekend the event, there will be many activities in the different academies of Cordão de Ouro in Sao Paulo. For example, on August 4th, Mestre Ivan will hold his seminar "Volta ao Mundo". After the anniversary, festivities will continue with two large events in Natal and Fortaleza.
Don't forget to explore the city itself. São Paulo is a huge metropolis with a rich, multinational culture. There is an ancient Indian village, which is located in the district Marsilac in the South of Sao Paulo. You also have a unique opportunity to walk through numerous national neighborhoods: Japanese — Liberdade, Italian — Bella Vista, Arabic — Bom Retiro, as well as Russian, Lebanese and many others which are not as popular but still fabulous.
If you plan a trip to the anniversary, take a couple of additional days to see Sao Paulo — you will definitely find something to entertain yourself. The before weekend the event, there will be many activities in the different academies of Cordão de Ouro in Sao Paulo. For example, on August 4th, Mestre Ivan will hold his seminar "Volta ao Mundo". After the anniversary, festivities will continue with two large events in Natal and Fortaleza.
Don't forget to explore the city itself. São Paulo is a huge metropolis with a rich, multinational culture. There is an ancient Indian village, which is located in the district Marsilac in the South of Sao Paulo. You also have a unique opportunity to walk through numerous national neighborhoods: Japanese — Liberdade, Italian — Bella Vista, Arabic — Bom Retiro, as well as Russian, Lebanese and many others which are not as popular but still fabulous.
The city's main museum, "Paulista", deserves a visit, especially if you are caught under brazilian winter rain while walking, as well as the eponymous street Avenida Paulista, which takes after the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, though there you will find names of brazilian stars.
The locals call São Paulo "the city of pizza," so you should definitely include this dish into your gourmet plans. Be sure to go to the Municipal market of São Paulo, which is close to Rua 25 de Março, and try exotic fruits, and the famous Bologna and cod sandwiches — a typical dish of the city.
Despite urbanization, the city is full of beautiful parks and gardens. In addition, there is a river Tiete in Sao Paulo, which, contrary to the laws of nature, flows in the opposite direction — from the ocean to the mainland.
The locals call São Paulo "the city of pizza," so you should definitely include this dish into your gourmet plans. Be sure to go to the Municipal market of São Paulo, which is close to Rua 25 de Março, and try exotic fruits, and the famous Bologna and cod sandwiches — a typical dish of the city.
Despite urbanization, the city is full of beautiful parks and gardens. In addition, there is a river Tiete in Sao Paulo, which, contrary to the laws of nature, flows in the opposite direction — from the ocean to the mainland.
Credits: Juliana Vitorino (3), Ricardo Corsi (Mestre Boca Rica) (7), Instagram/@belahornos, @frederico_moreira, @juliana_eid, @nathanrorys, @lucianoz
