Samba Dance and The Brazilian Carnival

In conclusion, it is significant to mention that music is a key component or feature in relation to the Brazilian Carnival. It is safe to say that very little is likely to happen without music. Samba music is the primary style or genre associated with the Brazilian Carnival. Basically, it is safe to say that when we look at samba music, we are looking at a musical genre with a deep Brazilian history. This kind of music is associated with typical musical instruments such as Cavaquinho and tamborim, its cultural origins date back to the early 20th Century in the City of Rio de Janeiro. As mentioned earlier, the following are some of the main Samba fusion genres; Samba – Maxixe, Samba – reggae, Kizomba and Sambass while the subgenres include; Samba de Breque, Pagode, Samba Cancao and Partido alto. Basically, it is safe to state the fact that Samba music and dance are largely related/connected

Introduction

The main purpose of this assignment is to write a research paper that discusses about Samba dance and how it relates to the Brazilian Carnival in Rio De Janerio. Secondly, this paper will discuss how Samba became the Carnival dance as well as how it began and developed to become one of the most popular dances thorough out the entire World. Basically, Samba is a very complicated dance that encompasses very many dance styles and musical beats.

Literature Review

Dance is one of the major forms of art and entertainment that involves Human movement in a sequential manner. Most of the movement has symbolic and aesthetic value (Bocskay 24). Today, there are very many types of dances. Some of the major types of dances include; Ballet, Jazz, Hip – hop, contemporary, Salsa and finally we have Samba. (Bocskay 31) In order to complete on this paper, focus will be on Samba dance and how it developed to be the Carnival dance in Rio De Janerio. Generally, it is safe to state the fact that Samba is one of the most rhythmical and lively type of dance. This dance is numerously linked with the Afro – Brazilian people/region (Bocskay 18). However, it is important to note the fact that this dance has roots in Africa. The main reason behind the idea that the dance has roots in Africa is the fact that Samba incorporates some of Africa’s traditions particularly from Congo and Angola (Gough 40). Most of this traditions were brought about as a result of the West African Slave trade. Today, Samba is a very popular form of dance that has gained popularity all over Brazil.

The History of Samba dance is very interesting and full of culture. This dance encompasses most of the Brazilian culture and lifestyle (Haugen 19). Basically, this dance began in the early 19th Century, today there are very types of Samba dances such as Samba Axe, Samba Pagoda, Samba no pe, Samba Roda and Samba Reggae (Pedro 40). Each type of Samba dance mentioned above has its own differences depending on the Style and musical beats being used. For example Samba no pe also known as Solo Samba is done solo. In this case, the dancer does not require any partner. They can dance by themselves. The dance steps are very simple and are undertaken in reference to the rhythm of the music (Pedro 54). Generally, the rhythm forms 2/4 with three or four steps. On the other hand, Samba Axe developed in the year 1992. Unlike other types Samba dances, Samba Axe is not defined by a certain step rather by the musical rhythm involved (Pedro 57). Basically, the rhythm can either be slow or fast but in most cases the rhythm starts out slowly and gathers speed slowly. The other types of Samba variates slightly in that they have different musical rhythms and steps (Gough). Currently, Samba has evolved to become a ballroom dance in different parts of the World.

Initially, before the year 1914, Samba was under the name Maxixe. By the year 1923, Samba’s popularity had grown significantly (Bocskay 45). The French had started practicing it and some individuals such as Paul Boucher had written books that had Samba instructions. By the year 1933, the dance was introduced to different movie audiences across the United States. In this case, Dolores Del Rio and Fred Astaire danced Salsa in the movie Flying Down to Rio. From here, the movie got a lot of reviews and people all over the U.S started practicing it (Bocskay 58). Unlike other types of dances such as Hip – Hop and Ballet, Samba is a very unique type of dance that matches with a very specific rhythm. In this case, it is safe to state the fact that Samba dance goes along with Samba music. Some of the musical instruments that can be linked with the history and development of Samba dance are Cabaca, reco – reco, tamborim and chocalho (Gough). It is important to note the fact that Samba dance was developed in a way that the dancers have to take rapid steps based on a quarter of the beat. Secondly the dance depends on the rocking motion and sway of the dancing couple.

The Rio Carnival is one of the most attended festivals in Brazil as well as the entire World. It is estimated that about 2 million people attend the festival yearly (Haugen 19). The Carnival festival dates back to more than 250 years ago, It is estimated that the Carnival originally began in the year 1723 and has grown significantly to become the biggest and most attended party in the World. Mostly, this festival is held right after lent. Basically, lent is a period where Christians fast and pray in preparation of the death and resurrection of their savior Jesus Christ. The history behind how Salsa became the Carnival dance is very interesting. When we look at the history of the Carnival in Rio, initially, there were no dances. This festival was marked with the Portuguese tradition of wearing costumes, at that time, costumes represented the wealth of an individual (Haugen 22). The rich would wear expensive uniforms while the poor would wear cheap ones. Over the years, the design of the costumes began changing and by 1930 the costumes worn in the festival were too expensive for the common man. The 1950s led to the birth of costumes that were sexy and quite revealing. Women started wearing colorful bikinis and men started walking shirtless.

The Carnival grew bigger each year and it was during the 1970s when Samba was introduced as part of the activities in the festival (Haugen 48). At this time, very many Samba schools were being developed. Very many people were eager to learn this dance style, it is estimated that some schools had a population on more than 4000 people. Graduates from this schools showcased their talent, skills and moves at the event. Since dance is one of the forms of entertainment, it was widely accepted and as the years went by more and more people got interested in the dance. Within a matter of years people started associating the Carnival festival with Samba dance, this went to the extent that people would only look forward to the festival because of the great performance by Samba dancers (Gough 50). The number of visitors also increased significantly. Generally, most of the Visitors enjoy dressing like the Samba dancers and dancing in local parades. Undoubtedly, this is a very exhilarating experience worth experiencing.

Generally, it is important to note the fact that Samba dance greatly relates with Samba music in that the dance cannot be done using a different type/genre of music (Bocskay 59). Perhaps this is the main reason as to why both forms of art have the same names. Basically, Samba music is one of the most popular musical styles in Brazil, it is widely related to the Brazilian Carnival. It is also important to note the fact that Samba music is very simple/form of music that is entirely based/focused on vibrant/loud instruments. When we look at the history of this genre of music, it is safe to state the fact that Samba music has traces on Africa but is mainly related to the Brazilian culture (Gough 76). The first Samba song to be recorded was “Pelo Telefone” that was released in the year 1917 by an artist known as Donga.

Over the years, Samba music has developed greatly. The main reason why the music became popular in the 20th Century is because it is a very distinctive and catchy form of music. Initially, before it became popular all over Brazil, it was popularized by Black Bahia immigrants (Gough 38). One of the main proponents who is said to have contributed to the growth and development of Samba music is Ismael Silva. He is credited for constructing the first Samba school known as Deixa Falar (Gough 97). This school is responsible for transforming the musical beat and making it to fit within the Carnival atmosphere in Rio. Some of the main forms/types of Samba music are; Samba – Maxixe, Samba – reggae, Kizomba and Sambass while the subgenres include; Samba de Breque, Pagode, Samba Cancao and Partido alto (Gough 78). All of styles mentioned above have their own unique dancing styles.

Samba dance greatly relates to the Brazilian Carnival and culture in many ways. A good example that can be used to prove on this fact is that the Carnival festival cannot take place without Samba dance parades and competition (Haugen 59). As mentioned earlier, most of the visitors and locals always look forward to the festival so that they can wear Samba costumes and participate in the dancing parades. The Samba dance also relates to the Brazilian Carnival since it is an art of attraction. Basically, more than three – quarters of the Brazilians and outside visitors attend the festival only because of the dance (Haugen 63). In this case, it is important to note the fact that Samba dance has grown to a point that it has become an art of attraction.

It is also important to note the fact that the dance relates to the Brazilian Carnival in that most of the costumes that are worn during the festival are Samba uniforms (Haugen 70). Initially, when we the Carnival started, people wore different types of costumes the ones being worn currently. In most cases, most of the visitors both local and outsiders normally order and wear uniforms/costumes that resemble those of the Samba dancers (Gough 15). Generally, when we look at this options, it is quite safe to state the fact that the Samba dance greatly relates to the Brazilian Carnival. As a result of this dance, thousands of people attend the festival yearly, this has boosted the festival economically and culturally.

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Works Cited

Bocskay, Stephen. "Undesired Presences: Samba, Improvisation, and Afro-politics in 1970s Brazil." Latin American Research Review 52.1 (2017).

Gough, Daniel. "Re-Contextualized Carnivals: A Brazilian Art Form in the Global Spaces of Festivalization." ASAP/Journal2.1 (2017): pp. 199-219.

Haugen, Mari Romarheim. "Music-Dance. Investigating Rhythm Structures in Brazilian Samba and Norwegian Telespringar Performance." (2016).

Pedro, Rachel. "Behind the beat: the Brazilian samba." The Conversation (2014).