Samba and
it’s History
Ana Lopez-Aranda
Introduction
Samba is a broad term for many of the rhythms
that compose the better-known Brazilian music
genres. Samba music is distinct for its
characteristic rhythmic patterns, simple
harmonies, use of African percussion
instruments, and Portuguese-language lyrics.
Nowadays Samba is a large part of Brazilian
culture. It is traditionally danced to music in 4/4
time with a syncopated rhythm.
I 2
Samba developed in Bahia, Brazil, South America. It originated in the 17 th
century when African people were held captive and enslaved to work in sugar
plantations and mines. The slaves started experimenting with African drumming
techniques, older folk music idioms native to Brazil and Latin America, and
European dance forms like the waltz and polka. This slowly turned into Samba
de Roda, meaning they would play instruments while dancing and performing
songs in a circle. This was the earliest version of samba music.
T HE HIS T ORY OF T HE C OU NT RY IT
COMES FROM, THE MUSIC AND THE
DANCE After the Portuguese Empire’s capital became Rio de Janeiro, this early version
of samba music expanded and evolved into a widely recognized music form by
the 19 th century and early 20 th century. During this time, samba music was
considered inferior due to its African roots. Variants of samba music began
developing in the favelas (slums), creating a new variation called Samba de
Morro meaning “Samba from the Hills”. The word Samba is thought to come
from the African word “Semba”, which relates to west African religious
traditions. By the late 1920s samba clubs had been formed in Rio, teaching the
customers or students, how to dance to the Samba music and rhythm. By 1970
these gatherings were formed more offi cially. These clubs are nowadays known
as Samba schools. Samba dance began as a solo dance, but now the most
II common variation is Ballroom Samba, a livelier and more festive partner dance
Samba was originally a street dance, but due to the samba clubs and,
later the schools being formed, Samba became more popular and
travelled through the whole city from the favelas. Due to it becoming
WHY IS SALSA CONSIDERED more well-known, people slowly stopped viewing it as inferior.
BALLROOM DANCING AND HOW DID IT
BECOME SUCH?
“Ballroom dancing” is an umbrella, which refers to a traditional dance
or social dance done in couples. A ballroom dance is a coordinated
partner dance with a predetermined step pattern. Samba would be
considered international Latin ballroom dancing, along with Cha-Cha,
paso doble, and many others, due to it having all of these factors.
Though, this is only the international Latin ballroom Samba, not all
the versions of Samba can be considered such.
Example of Latin Ballroom Samba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03aJ8qOqo2Q
III
Both Ballroom Samba and other versions of Samba use the same or practically the
same costume. These elaborate costumes often utilize bold, vibrant colours, these
days women mainly wear a Bikini-style costume with an extravagant headpiece.
Though, Samba costumes weren’t always this revealing. Previously, during lent,
people would dress in striking costumes, and those participating in the parade
would wear grandiose masks and costumes. These costumes were designed to
show off the wealth and glamour of the people wearing them. By the 1930s Brazil's
carnival had grown and become more popular. Due to more and more people
wanting to get involved, the costumes suffered a change since not everyone could
afford such flamboyant costumes. Though, there were other causes of this change,
THE TRADITIONAL SAMBA COSTUMES
WORN for example, the sweltering temperatures of Rio making the costumes even more
uncomfortable to wear than they already were. Men then began to attend the
celebrations in drag, flaunting their most eccentric costumes. By the 1950s, the
costumes greatly reflected the phrase “Less is more!”. Year by year ladies started
wearing less and less until they began wearing the costumes we see nowadays.
Men currently wear dance pants for both main versions of Samba, along with
specific shoes for ballroom Samba. For the top, they may wear bedazzled vests, t-
shirts with fringe, and leotard-like shirts. Men may also wear extravagant feather
headgear, sometimes even wearing shoulder pads and “wings” both made with
feathers. Both genders wear a great amount of jewelry and accessories in general,
IV specifically feathered ones.
Examples of Samba Carnival Costume
1940’s
Present Time
V
Common instruments found in Samba
Snare Drum Bass Drum Wood Block Pandeiro Surdo
VI
More Instruments
Tamborim De
Agogo Chocalho Ganzaxe Ganza
Brasil
VII
Samba plays a huge part in Brazilian culture and history, especially in
Rio, due to it being the capital and where Samba really became
popular and expanded. Due to this, Samba is an essential part of the
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Deixa Falar was the first Samba school to
properly introduce Samba songs to their Rio Carnival performance.
Samba music is lively and festive, making the carnival fun, but, at the
same time reminding people of Brazil’s history.
WHY IS S A M B A U S ED IN CA R N IVA LS
AND PARADES?
VIII
• Aquarela Do Brasil – Gal Costa (1980) :
https://youtu.be/lYfTcdI0OM4
• Trem Das Onze – Demônios Da Garao (1964) :
https://youtu.be/XoUtxWU8lW8
• Vou Festejar – Beth Carvalho (1978) :
https://youtu.be/KmUe9VYxJYQ
• As Rosas Não Falam – Cartola : https://youtu.be/5j3QjEk-6c0
POPU L A R S A M BA A RT IS T S A ND S ONGS
• Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes (1966) :
https://youtu.be/4Zu0iDvCjgk
• Insensato Destino – Zeca Pagodhino (2011) :
https://youtu.be/8IVcawZDGLo
These six Samba songs are some out of so many that have gotten
popular over the years.
IX
Thank you
Ana Lopez-Aranda
G7
The History of Samba
X THE END
