The goal of the Seminario de Cultura Baiana is to highlight the African influence present in the culture, the Dance, the Music, the food and in the lives of everyday people of Bahia, how it shapes the cultural identity of the people and gets passed along to its descendants. 

Mestre Chipa, Professor Tico and Professor Kaçador, three Capoeira teachers from Salvador-Bahia who have been living and teaching in the Bay Area, have hosted the first edition of the event in 2022 when they brought choreographer and Capoeirista Luis Badaró for a master class in Maculelê. Mestre Badaró gave a beautiful lecture on its history from the slave abolition celebration in the Recôncavo of Bahia to the strong presence in the Capoeira rodas and stage performances today.   

Now in 2024, Professor Kaçador is hosting one more chapter of the Seminario as part of his annual Batizado with the presence of Mestre Bamba, Mestra Cristina and Contramestre Kabeção, three generations of baiano Capoeiristas who have dedicated their lives to the art Capoeira in Bahia, Brazil and abroad. 

The Seminario de Cultura Baiana is dear to our hearts and we look forward to continuing hosting future events. This year’s edition will end with a children’s batizado at Casa de Cultura in Berkeley.

What is a Batizado?

A batizado is a ceremony in capoeira when students get their belt or move up a belt. Also, it is when the new students are symbolically introduced to the Capoeira community. Other Capoeira Mestres, instructors and students are invited to the ceremony where they welcome the new Capoeirista (a person that plays Capoeira) to the art form. As in many aspects of Capoeira, the batizado has its own symbolism and is a very special event.