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Associação de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro (Cordão de Ouro Capoeira Association), simply known as "Cordão de Ouro" or CDO, is one of the most prominent capoeira groups globally, known for its significant contributions to the evolution of capoeira, particularly in São Paulo, Brazil. The group was founded on September 1, 1967, by Mestre Suassuna (Reinaldo Ramos Suassuna) and Mestre Brasília.
Founding and Early Years
The group's name, Cordão de Ouro (Golden Cord), was inspired by a song that Mestre Suassuna and Mestre Brasília heard on the radio. The name also pays homage to Besouro Cordão de Ouro, a legendary capoeirista who lived before the formal division of capoeira into the Angola and Regional styles. The founders initially intended to teach both styles under the same roof: Mestre Suassuna focused on Capoeira Regional, while Mestre Brasília taught Capoeira Angola. However, Mestre Brasília soon left to establish his own group, São Bento Grande.
During the late 1960s, capoeira faced significant challenges in southern Brazil due to political repression under the military dictatorship and widespread prejudice against the art form. Despite these obstacles, Mestre Suassuna, who had recently arrived in São Paulo from Itabuna, Bahia, continued to promote capoeira. He established the first capoeira academy in São Paulo, providing a hub for capoeiristas from the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil who sought to spread the art in the south.
Growth and Development
Cordão de Ouro quickly became a center for the development of capoeira in São Paulo, producing a generation of influential capoeira masters, including Lobão, Esdras Filho, Tarzan, Belisco, Almir das Areias, and Caio. The group's reputation grew as Mestre Suassuna's academy became a reference point for capoeira education in the region.
Over time, Cordão de Ouro became the birthplace of many notable capoeiristas, such as Mestres Flávio Tucano, Biriba, Dal, Marcelo Caveirinha, Urubú Malandro, Espirro Mirim, Xavier, Lúcifer, Torinho, Pial, Cangurú, Sarará, Zé Antônio, Ponciano, and others. These individuals contributed to the group's rich legacy, including Mestre Cícero, Mestre Zé Carlos, and Mestre Penteado, who, although students of Mestre Suassuna's students, played crucial roles in the group's development.
Jogo do Miudinho
Mestre Suassuna was known for his restless creativity and innovation within the capoeira world. In response to the changes and challenges facing capoeira during the 1970s and 1980s, he developed a new style of play called Jogo do Miudinho. This style emphasized closer, more intricate movements, contrasting with the broader, more aggressive styles that were becoming popular at the time. The name Miudinho was inspired by Mestre Suassuna's playful instruction to his students to play "smaller" or "closer," and the style has since become synonymous with Cordão de Ouro's unique approach to capoeira.
The Jogo do Miudinho gained popularity in the 1990s and has been taught to a new generation of capoeiristas, often referred to as the "Miudinho Generation." This style has attracted followers worldwide, with many traveling to Mestre Suassuna's academy in São Paulo to learn its secrets and techniques.
Gradation System
Cordão de Ouro employs a structured gradation system to recognize the progress and skill levels of its practitioners. The system is divided into five phases, with distinct cords (cordões) for each level. The cords vary in color and complexity, indicating the practitioner's experience, from beginners to masters. The system also differentiates between practitioners under and over 15 years old, with specific cord colors for each age group.
The process of advancing through the ranks involves ceremonies known as batizado (for receiving the first cord) and troca de cordão (for subsequent advancements). The time between each cord level is typically one year, although this can vary based on the instructor's discretion.
References
- "Sua História", Grupo Cordão de Ouro. Accessed September 7, 2024.
- "Graduação", Grupo Cordão de Ouro. Accessed September 7, 2024.
- "History of Cordão de Ouro", Capoeira Las Vegas. Accessed September 7, 2024.
- "CDO History", Capoeira CDO. Accessed September 7, 2024.