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No one becomes a Master ('Mestre') of Capoeira overnight; it takes time and perseverance to complete all the compulsory phases. First of all, it's necessary that the student finds in their Mestre a friend and feels comfortable with him/her in order to be fully confident with the movements taught. In the beginning, there are a myriad of obstacles that the student will face and need to overcome, and determination, commitment, always trying their best, challenging themselves, learning from their mistakes all assist the student greatly in doing this.
Filhos da Bahia’s graduation system uses nature as a reference. Each color represents an element in nature with its distinct characteristics, and each string inherits its symbolic importance from the vegetable, animal, and mineral realms.
Coloured strings (belts) are used to rank the student's level of skill, fitness, agility, improvement and understanding of the game.
The string's classifications are as follows:
0) LIGHT GREEN - This is the first string that the student receives with their uniform when joining the group.
1) GREEN- This is the official first string given to the student when initiated or baptised into the world of Capoeira. Its colour represents an unripened fruit, which needs time to grow and mature and has just begun its journey into the world of Capoeira.
2) GREEN, GREEN/YELLOW TIP - This string represents the next stage for the student, where he/she begins to gain an understanding of the game. The appearance of the yellow represents the beginning of a ripening process.
3) GREEN, YELLOW TIP This string represents that the student is continuing to appreciate more about Capoeira, the game and themselves. The yellow in the string grows to represent that the student is continuing to learn and grow or ripen.
4) GREEN-YELLOW - Here the student starts to develop a confidence within the game, which enables them to progress and face the obstacles ahead. The student, like the fruit, starts to mature with the yellow appearing throughout the whole string.
5) GREEN/YELLOW, YELLOW TIP - At this stage, the student's focus is now on producing a game that is sharp and fluent. Also, the student is expected to have a sound grasp of the music, in particular, the Berimbau.The student is continuing to ripen with the appearance of yellow dominating the string.
6) YELLOW, GREEN TIP At this stage, more attention is being directed to the instruments and the student has developed a confidence to sing and play. The green colouring on the string is gradually disappearing as the student becomes almost fully ripe.
7) YELLOW, GREEN/YELLOW TIP - The student's focus is on refining their technique, game skills and in obtaining total musical confidence. The green has almost completely disappeared signifying that the student is approaching a new phase.
8) YELLOW - At this stage, the student, just like the ripe fruit, is confident and ready; undoubtedly, he/she has earned the title ‘Capoeirista’. The student’s commitment begins to extend beyond that of simply training for themselves as he/she looks for ways to contribute to the group, for example helping prepare the room before class or putting instruments away after a roda.
9) YELLOW, YELLOW/BLUE TIP - The Capoeirista, by this stage, has shown enough dedication, commitment, understanding and skill within the world of Capoeira, that he/she begins to embark on a new phase; that of an instructor. Not only does the Capoeirista seek to improve their game, he/she also shifts awareness to the ways that Capoeira can be taught.
10) YELLOW, BLUE TIP - The student is continuing to grow and learn within the new dimension of teaching. He/she is paying more attention to how he/she personally might pass on knowledge to others and at the same time continuing to improve his/her skills and style, and understanding of Capoeira.
11) YELLOW/BLUE (MONITOR I) - This string is a token or ‘reward’ for the Capoeiristas long-term commitment to training and all-round improvement. As the student moves higher up the ranking scale, he/she is becoming more and more capable and demonstrates a confidence and ability, and enough understanding, to begin teaching it to others.
12) YELLOW/BLUE, BLUE TIP (MONITOR II) - The student has had some experience teaching under supervision and has shown improvement in his/her game and teaching style. The yellow has almost completely disappeared from the string signifying that the student is approaching the next phase, represented by the blue string.
13) BLUE STRING (INSTRUCTOR I) - This string represents a new phase for the Capoerista, that of an instructor. In order to gain teaching experience, he/she assists their own master in conducting classes, teaching music etc. Now, more than ever, the training of the body and mind needs to combine as one. On assuming the role of a teacher, the Capoerista must set an example and is responsible for their actions in and out of Capoeira.
14) BLUE, GREEN/YELLOW/BLUE TIP (INSTRUCTOR II) The student has continued to teach under their master and is starting to get a feel for their own teaching style and philosophy. The students understanding of Capoeira is starting to come together as a whole and confidence is being developed in preparation to begin to teach alone.
15) GREEN/YELLOW/BLUE (PROFESSOR) - By this stage, the Capoerista deserves the title of 'Professor'. This string braids all colours together, hence signifying the experience and commitment of the student and all the levels that have been surpassed. At this level, he/she is on the way to becoming a master of the art.
16) GREEN/YELLOW/BLUE-WHITE (CONTRA-MESTRE) - At this level, the Capoerista works solidly to attain mastership. For the first time, white begins to appear in the string representing the first stages of mastership and is symbolic of a peace attained by becoming 'Mestre'. The professor has a sound grasp of the art form; now only time and perseverance are required, before he/she can become 'Mestre'.
17) WHITE-GREEN (MESTRE OF THE 1St GRADE) - Finally the student receives the first Mestres string. This represents a Capoerista who has lived countless moments within Capoeira and who must set an example to those teaching. Much practical and emotional experience has been acquired by this stage, within the world of Capoeira that is now becoming 'a way of life' for the Capoerista.
18) WHITE-YELLOW (MESTRE OF THE 2ND GRADE) - At this stage, the Mestre has matured in the art, and his/her image is becoming more and more established in the eyes of their students.
19) WHITE-BLUE (MESTRE OF THE 3RD GRADE) - This is the second last ranking in this art; where the Mestres total focus is to attain the peace within their teaching and practice of Capoeira as well as within themselves, signified by the white string.
20) WHITE (MASTER OF ALL MASTERS) - This is the MESTRE of all Mestres string. It's the absolute PEACE acquired by a Capoerista in his/her world. It grants the Capoerista the maximum respect and admiration in the world of CAPOEIRA.
LIGHT BLUE (ESTAGIÁRIO) - For students coming back or people who are joining from other schools.
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