Samba Dancing: A Brazilian Joy

by Janette Bennett                                                                        Back to JOUR 440 page

The most popular dance in the South American country of Brazil is called samba, which according to StreetSwing.com means ´to pray`. Centuries of evolution brought the dance to where it is today, from where it began in the 16th century.

Imports from Angola and Congo, African slaves were brought to Bahia, Brazil, by the Portuguese in the 16th century.  When they came, the slaves also brought with them some of their original dances, which were the starting point for Afro-Brazilian rhythms such as the caterete, the embolada and the batuque, which were deemed inapropriate by European standards due to the touching of the navels (History of Latin American Dancing).

In the 1830´s, the dance that was a precursor to samba evolved to where the body rolls and sways, a movement that which is called lundu.  From there, carnaval steps were added, which were called the Copacabana (named after a popular beach in Rio de Janeiro). 

A young couple dance samba at Das Dunas, a samba club in Florianópolis

The new dance became popular in Rio de Janeiro, but was modified to a closed ballroom dancing postion.  Later, it evolved into the dance name zemba queca, which according to History of Latin American Dancing means “a graceful Brazilian dance”.

According to the same source, the name later changed again to mesemba which is said to be the origin of the name samba.

Samba dancing is currently a popular international rhythm with very different steps.  Samba uses a hip movement with a half beat between steps (the sambatic), a flow with the torso which moves the dancers' weight forward in a bent standing leg (StreetSwing.com).

POPULAR DANCE

Consider  by many the most typical Brazilian dance, samba is very popular with both younger and older generations.  The dance can either be performed by oneself or with a partner.

“The samba is used as a walking step at the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. It is more popular to do the dance by yourself at Carnaval, since it is a faster type of dance/walk when you are in the parade,” said Alex Costa E. Silva, a regular samba dancer.

Alex Costa shows some Samba moves

On the island-city of Florianópolis, there is a popular samba dance club called Das Dunas in Joaquina Beach, which is very popular for samba dancing every Sunday night.

“I come to this club every Sunday night to samba. Samba dancing is part of my culture and is a way for me to meet people and exercise,” said Natalia Hermas, a regular at Das Dunas and a samba dance teacher.

Natalia Hermas struts her stuff

Samba is very popular at the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, which takes place every year two weeks before the start of the traditional Christian season of Lent, and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.  Thousands of Brazilians from near and far come to Rio de Janeiro to participate in this festive party, a celebration rooted in paganism and Roman Catholicism. 

“Every year, I go to the Carnaval in Rio with my family and friends. That is where I learned how to samba when I was nine.  I get really into the celebration,” Florianopolis resident Sergio Vidal said.

Samba dancing has evolved into a popular international dance enjoyed and celebrated all over the world.  There are a variety of styles and festivals that traditionally celebrate this dance in many different countries (Wikipedia).