contramestre

Contramestre is a title used in several Portuguese-speaking cultural traditions, most notably capoeira and samba schools. The term derives from contra, meaning against or opposite, and mestre, meaning master, and it signals a senior leader who stands in relation to a mestre, often acting as a deputy or senior instructor within a group.

In capoeira, contramestre is a high rank just below the mestre. Holders typically lead classes for advanced students, oversee the group’s training, and may serve as the mestre’s representative in events when the master is absent. The precise requirements and insignia for the rank vary by school, with some organizations treating contramestre as a formal grade earned by demonstration of skill, pedagogy, and adherence to the group’s lineage, while others use it as an honorific title for experienced practitioners.

In samba, the contramestre is the leader of the bateria, the percussion section. The role includes setting tempo, issuing rhythmic cues, and coordinating the ensemble during rehearsals and performances. The contramestre may also mentor other percussionists and help train new members. Like the capoeira usage, the duties and selection criteria depend on the school or bloco.

Outside these contexts, contramestre is used in older Portuguese usage to denote an assistant master in various trades and institutions, with regional and organizational variations.