The rules of Mestre Bimba's academy
Mestre Bimba, recognised as the father of Capoeira Regional, played a crucial role in legitimising and systematising Capoeira in Brazil. In the 1930s, at a time when Capoeira was still largely marginalised and often associated with crime, Mestre Bimba opened the first official Capoeira school, the « Academia-escola de Cultura Regional » in Salvador da Bahia. To structure his teaching and promote a respectful and effective practice of Capoeira, he introduced a strict set of rules, which became emblematic of his method.
These rules included several key points designed to maintain order and ensure that training was taken seriously:
1. DEIXE DE FUMAR. E PROIBIDO FUMAR DURANTE OS TREINOS.
Stop smoking. Smoking is forbidden during training.
2. DEIXE DE BEBER. O USO DO ALCOOL PREJUDICA O METABOLISMO MUSCULAR.
Stop drinking. Alcohol harms muscle metabolism.
3. EVITE DEMONSTRAR AOS SEUS AMIGOS DE FORA DA « RODA » DE CAPOEIRA OS SEUS PROGRESSOS. LEMBRE-SE QUE A SURPRESA E A MELHOR ALIADA NUMA LUTA.
Avoid showing your progress to your friends outside the capoeira roda. Remember that surprise is your best ally in a fight.
4. EVITE CONVERSA DURANTE O TREINO. VOCE ESTA PAGANDO O TEMPO QUE PASSA NA ACADEMIA E, OBSERVANDO OS OUTROS LUTADORES, APRENDERA MAIS.
Avoid talking during class. You are paying for the time you spend at the academy, and by watching the other fighters you will learn more.
5. PROCURE GINGAR SEMPRE.
Always try to do the ginga.
6. PRATIQUE DIARIAMENTE OS EXERCICIOS FUNDAMENTAIS.
Practise the fundamental exercises every day.
7. NAO TENHA MEDO DE SE APROXIMAR DO OPONENTE. QUANTO MAIS PROXIMO SE MANTIVER, MELHOR APRENDERA.
Don’t be afraid to get close to your opponent. The closer you stay, the better you will learn.
8. CONSERVE O CORPO RELAXADO.
Always keep your body relaxed.
9. E MELHOR APANHAR NA « RODA » QUE NA « RUA ».
It is better to take a hit in the roda than in the street.
These rules were not only meant to regulate the technical aspects of Capoeira, but also to establish a high moral and ethical framework. Mestre Bimba saw Capoeira as a tool for social transformation, capable of instilling values such as respect, trust and responsibility.
The influence of Mestre Bimba and his rules endures today, and many modern Capoeira academies follow similar principles, highlighting the lasting impact of his vision on the art of Capoeira.
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