Samba Dance Brazil

Of all the South American cultural dances, the Samba dance Brazil culture and music are one of the liveliest and most world-famous genres. The history of Samba is rich and varied, with the Samba taking influences from several South American and African dance stles. Not only is the samba danced all over the world by dancers looking for a fun, upbeat, and sexy dance, but the Samba is also one of the features of the annual Brazilian ‘Carnaval’.

The Samba, like most types of dance, is actually not one type of dance. Just like there is no one single genre of ballet (rather: classical, modern, and post-modern ballet, not to mention jazz ballet), there are several types of Samba dance styles, especially in the birthplace of Samba: Brazil.

Some popular styles are more often seen in international competitions such as ballroom competitions, whereas other styles are more likely to be seen during impromptu dances in Brazil. Both types of Samba are lots of fun, which is why Samba has become one of the most popular types of Latin dance in the last decades.

Samba dance can be either a partner dance or a solo dance. For ballroom competitions, it is the partner Samba that is showcased, whereas in most festivals and certainly in the Brazilian Carnival, it’s the solo dance that is so often seen. Samba no pé is the name for the styled solo dance; in many televised programs where one sees Samba dancing, it is this genre that one sees.

This dance is characterized firstly by the Samba music: 2/4 time, with professional Samba dancers taking considerably more steps per measure than amateurs. In addition to the music, the characteristic steps are shown in this YouTube video of a Samba group. The characteristic features are the quick steps, the swinging hips, the sexy undertones of the dance, and the free-flowing arms and legs. The feet and hips have prescribed movements, but the arms and legs have to follow the feet movements with as much slack in the movements as possible. As you watch this Samba video, you’ll notice the distinctly African dance influence in both the music and this ‘grounded’ free-flowing style of the arms and legs.

In Brazil every year, as in many Catholic countries, the period before Easter includes a lot of religious events. One of these events is the Carnaval, which is still celebrated in Italy, Québec, and Brazil, among many other places. The origin of Carnaval is a celebration that comes before Lent. Since, according to religious tradition, no parties can be had during the period leading up to Easter, Carnival (or Carneval, among other spellings) is one last huge, wild party before the somber period leading up to Easter. Once one knows exactly why Carnival is celebrated, the wild party style of the Brazilian Carnaval makes a lot of sense!

The Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is world-famous for its size and style. Not only is this Carnival one of the world’s largest, it is also one of the most integrated styles of Carnival around the world. While Carnival style in Europe is somewhat singularly influenced, the Carnaval in Rio imports influences from many outside cultures, such as the African influence seen in the Samba dance. In Rio, Samba is one of the central parts of the Carnaval; you can’t see images of the celebration in Rio without seeing some Samba dance Brazil influences. Pictures of Samba dancers, as well as many video recordings, are hallmarks of the Brazilian Carnivals.

Whether you travel to Brazil during Carnaval season or not, you’re sure to see the exciting influences of the Samba dance running through Brazilian culture.

• Photos of Ballet Dancers
• Dance Studio Equipment
• Pictures of Limbo Dancing

• Dance Steps to Thriller
• Popular Line Dances
• Famous Choreographers
• Country Line Dance Steps
• Famous Ballet Dancers

• History of Latin Dance
• Samba Dance Steps
• Category:Types of Dance
• Samba Dance History
• Arthur Murray Dance Studio