Origins of Samba Dancing
The samba is often equated with the sultry, vibrant dances of Brazil, but the samba finds its origins oceans away.
Other People Are Reading
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History
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While the people of Brazil have, indeed, embraced the samba as their own, the dance originated in Angola, Africa, according to the Samba City website. The dance was brought to Brazil through the slave trade in the 16th century.
Evolution
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Originally, the dance was thought to be "sinful," and it became mixed with other Brazilian dances. According to website dancingLATIN, a composite dance was created in the 1830s. This progressed to carnival dancing and, later, on to a much more socially acceptable ballroom dance.
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Identification
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The samba was a very fast-paced Brazilian street dance for some time, requiring a fast, upbeat tempo danced with a sensual style. Dance lovers define today's samba as the Brazilian Waltz, and it's often left to the most experienced ballroom dancers to perform because of its speed.
Theories and Speculation
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It is believed that In African culture, the samba was likely a part of religious ceremonies or prayers. The modern term, "samba," came from a variation of an African word, "semba," and its exact original meaning is unclear.
Expert Insight
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According to Dance Lovers, the United States was introduced to the samba in 1933 when Fred Astaire and Dolores Del Rio danced it in "Flying Down to Rio." Interest was reignited in 1939 at the World's Fair, where samba music was played at a Brazilian Pavilion.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Team at Carnaval.com Studios
