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Hi girls!

Samba remains a popular Brazilian dance form and musical genre. Over the years, it has been exported worldwide, and fused with contemporary music to its success. Though its origins are widely disputed, the genre can be placed as having its roots origins in the traditional religious ceremonies brought to Brazil by African slaves. As a musical genre, samba combines the rhythmic percussion tempo variation with the sounds of the pandeiro, reco reco, tamborim and cuica to name a few, giving it its distinct sound and vibe. With its link to the yearly Carnaval Brasileiro, samba has come to symbolize racial and social harmony. The northeastern state of Bahia, cradle of many Afro-Brazilian traditions, is home to the origins of Samba music. When slavery in Brazil was abolished in 1888, former slaves from Bahia migrated south to Rio, which is currently the base of Samba.
The word “Samba” is derived from the word “Semba”. In the African Bantu language known as Kimbundo, brought to Brazil by slaves taken predominantly from Angola, “Semba” signifies “navel bump” which depicts the intimacy and “invitation” to dance, a feature common in many Afro Brazilian forms. It is also noted that the word Samba is the infinitive of “kusamba” which literally means “to pray” or to invoke favour of the gods through rhythm, song and dance.
Samba emerged as a musical genre after its birth in the region of Bahia known as “Little Africa”. Terreiros da Candomble (religious houses) were founded by Bahian priestesses also known as Tias (Aunts) or Bainas (Bahian Aunts), to invoke the gods through song and dance. During these religious ceremonies, samba da roda was danced to the beat of African drum and percussions. The first officially broadcast Samba song, entitled “Pelo Telefone”, was recorded in the terreiro of legendary Tia Ciata in Praça Onze, Bahia.
When slavery came to an end, mass migration to Rio from Bahia commenced. Continuing the practice of Samba, Samba schools were established as a creative and artistic outlet for poor communities. Accompanied by percussion music, blocos (groups of dancers) sung and danced in celebration of Carnaval through their neighbourhoods and neighboring favelas (shanty towns). Initially, the practice and dance expression of Samba was prohibited for it was perceived as obscene, improper and in bad taste in the view of Brazil’s upper class.
Thus looked down on by European settlers and upper class citizens, Samba was practiced often in secret societies. The musical form of Samba rose in popularity in the 1920s, establishing itself as a firm favourite for Carnaval Brasileiro. In time, when the first few escolas de samba were established, and dance groups (blocos) paraded the streets in groups of no more than fifty people, the parades evolved into competitions in which the best group would dazzle the crowd with their rhythmic dance expression and elaborate costumes. Samba became a means of instilling national pride in the masses and was officially recognised worldwide, as a musical genre and dance form. Maintaining its Portuguese/Iberian connection and the legacy of Africa, in 1925 Samba was imported into Europe and studied heavily by aficionados from Europe, the US and elsewhere!

Tips to learn more…
Visit your local city library to read about African and Latin culture, the roots of Samba dancing. Check out videos that will give you even information about Samba. You may even find a Samba dance steps video or book
Study the basic musical composition of Samba music. It is written in 2/4 or 4/4th time and lends itself to an upbeat, fast, cheerful and quick-paced time.
Find pictures or photographs about the Samba on the Internet to use as a guide. Also research information about Samba carnivals that are very popular in places like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
Join a local dance school that specializes in Latin or African dancing. Samba dance lessons will give you great hands-on experience and you'll learn the Samba in no time!