Samba (Brazilian dance)

Samba is a lively set of music and dance traditions from Brazil.

It is much more than just one single dance style. Instead, it is a group of many different dances and rhythms. People in Brazil love it because it brings communities together. It is most important during the huge festival called Carnaval. Samba is a way for people to show their pride and identity. It even shows how people stayed strong through hard times. This music and dance can be very fast or very slow.

There are many ways to perform these dances. In Samba de Roda, people dance in a circle.

One dancer might use a move called umbigada to invite someone else into the center. In Samba no pé, or "samba in the foot," a person dances alone.

This solo dance uses a straight body and quick foot movements. The feet move only a few inches at a time. Men often keep their whole feet on the ground. Women often dance on the balls of their feet. Some dancers even use their arms to match the music.

Samba grew from many different cultures meeting in Brazil. It started through exchanges between African, Indigenous, and European peoples. Much of it began in the state of Bahia during the 17th century. The rhythm likely came from a dance called Lundu. This was brought to Brazil by Bantu people from Africa. Later, the dance moved to Rio de Janeiro as people migrated. The term "samba" might come from the word semba. This refers to a gesture used in African circle dances.

Many different instruments make the samba sound. Drummers often use a drum called an atabaque. In Samba Pagode, musicians play with their hands for a softer sound. They use three specific instruments: the tanta, the repique-de-mao, and the pandeiro. The pandeiro is a type of tambourine. In Samba-reggae, drummers called surdos use mallets to play. Some drummers even toss their drums high in the air! These different tools create the special, bouncy beat of the music.

Samba has many styles that you can find today. Samba de Gafieira is a partner dance from Rio de Janeiro nightclubs. It feels like a mix of the Waltz and the Tango. Samba-rock is a playful style from the city of São Paulo. It blends African body flow with European ballroom manners. There is also Samba Axé, which is very energetic and uses aerobics. Even in places like Helsinki, people dance samba in the rain! It is a global way to celebrate and have fun.