Capoeira
My Life as a Capoeirista: by Arbi Sarkissian (a.k.a. Papagaio)
I was first introduced to Capoeira by one of my closest friends (who is currently training with us) roughly 8 years ago in Los
Angeles and have been training consistantly for 5 years now. My first teacher was a talented Brazilian by the name Sebastião
Félix, better known as Mestre Calango. Though my training under Mestre Calango was very brief, it inspired me to continue
and excel in this dynamic Brazilian art form that has become a big part of my life today.
My brief introduction and training under him inspired me to find a group in New Mexico where I was living and studying at
the time. To my fortune, I found a group that was training under Mestre Acordeon’s United Capoeira Association (UCA) in
Albuquerque. The group was known as Capoeira Pegadas and our teacher was Professor Maluco. I trained with Pegadas
for approximately three years and received by third cord with the group. Within this period I also spent one year training
with various groups during my studies abroad in London.
In London I was both training and researching Capoeira for my undergraduate dissertation project. I participated and
researched roughly 5 different groups and began training regularly under Professor Dacor. I participated in the group’s
first batizado (initiation) and participated in various workshops from visiting Mestres from abroad. I also helped to organise
and was president of the Capoeira Society at the University of East London where I was studying for students interested in
learning Capoeira.
On my return back to New Mexico I continued to train under Pegadas and helped to organise a Capoeira club at the
University of New Mexico and was vice-president of the club. We also helped to organise samba dance and music workshops
in collaboration with Capoeira Pegadas and hosted our annual batizado there. I participated in a total of three batizados
under the UCA group and currently hold a yellow cordão (cord). During this period training under Pegadas I also attended
numerous workshops and batizados around the US, including Mestre Acordeon’s annual batizados in Berkley, California.
After graduating in 2003, I moved back home to L.A. and began training under Professor Xingu under Mestre Amen Santo’s
Capoeira Batuque group in West L.A. I trained for nearly with the Batuque group while also training with Professor Gui
from Capoeira Centro-Sul in Long Beach. I later began training again with Mestre Calango upon his return to L.A. and also
participated in various batizados and workshops in Southern California during that year.
In the fall of 2004 I left for Canterbury in the UK to embark on my master’s program. I helped to consolidate a handful of
capoeiristas from a small group in nearby Ashford and we initiated a Capoeira Club at the University of Kent. While we
continued training throughout the course of the year I helped get a regular teacher, Instructor Madeira, from Capoeira
Muzenza in London to teach a few times a week. I trained under Instructor Muzenza throughout my stay in Canterbury and
London. I began teaching introductory level Capoeira upon arriving to Lebanon in the spring of 2006.
Arbi 2006
My Life as a Capoeirista: by Arbi Sarkissian (a.k.a. Papagaio)
I was first introduced to Capoeira by one of my closest friends (who is currently training with us) roughly 8 years ago in Los
Angeles and have been training consistantly for 5 years now. My first teacher was a talented Brazilian by the name Sebastião
Félix, better known as Mestre Calango. Though my training under Mestre Calango was very brief, it inspired me to continue
and excel in this dynamic Brazilian art form that has become a big part of my life today.
My brief introduction and training under him inspired me to find a group in New Mexico where I was living and studying at
the time. To my fortune, I found a group that was training under Mestre Acordeon’s United Capoeira Association (UCA) in
Albuquerque. The group was known as Capoeira Pegadas and our teacher was Professor Maluco. I trained with Pegadas
for approximately three years and received by third cord with the group. Within this period I also spent one year training
with various groups during my studies abroad in London.
In London I was both training and researching Capoeira for my undergraduate dissertation project. I participated and
researched roughly 5 different groups and began training regularly under Professor Dacor. I participated in the group’s
first batizado (initiation) and participated in various workshops from visiting Mestres from abroad. I also helped to organise
and was president of the Capoeira Society at the University of East London where I was studying for students interested in
learning Capoeira.
On my return back to New Mexico I continued to train under Pegadas and helped to organise a Capoeira club at the
University of New Mexico and was vice-president of the club. We also helped to organise samba dance and music workshops
in collaboration with Capoeira Pegadas and hosted our annual batizado there. I participated in a total of three batizados
under the UCA group and currently hold a yellow cordão (cord). During this period training under Pegadas I also attended
numerous workshops and batizados around the US, including Mestre Acordeon’s annual batizados in Berkley, California.
After graduating in 2003, I moved back home to L.A. and began training under Professor Xingu under Mestre Amen Santo’s
Capoeira Batuque group in West L.A. I trained for nearly with the Batuque group while also training with Professor Gui
from Capoeira Centro-Sul in Long Beach. I later began training again with Mestre Calango upon his return to L.A. and also
participated in various batizados and workshops in Southern California during that year.
In the fall of 2004 I left for Canterbury in the UK to embark on my master’s program. I helped to consolidate a handful of
capoeiristas from a small group in nearby Ashford and we initiated a Capoeira Club at the University of Kent. While we
continued training throughout the course of the year I helped get a regular teacher, Instructor Madeira, from Capoeira
Muzenza in London to teach a few times a week. I trained under Instructor Muzenza throughout my stay in Canterbury and
London. I began teaching introductory level Capoeira upon arriving to Lebanon in the spring of 2006.
Arbi 2006
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