Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Getting To Know The Brief Background Of Samba

By Daniel J. Williams


When it comes to dance of Brazil, one immediately imagines about samba, a type of dance that has made deep imprints on the minds and heart of people through its energetic and enthusiastic form.

It was not until 1920 that samba was known to the people of United States. When introduced, this dance and music got quick acceptance from the American people and soon became one of the most loved dance.

Not much is known about the history and origin of Samba. Generally it is thought that the dance started in Africa where it was performed in by couples. Many also believe that it emerged from another music called Choro. But it cannot be believed in actual as we do not have evidence for that. In Samba two performances, dance and music both are given at the same time.

A Portuguese word Samba is the word from which Samba got its shape. The interpretation of the word is different. Some Africans who come to the new world believe the word Samba means to pray or to worship. For others it has reference to women. In 1838 a newspaper claimed that it means dance and beat/rhythm.

The Samba dance is dance of slaves. When the colonialist settled in Africa, they disapproved the dance as it failed to please them. They found the beats of the music and moves of the dance inappropriate. Later time brought lots of change in this form of dance. One a group dance later changed to a couple dance.

The musicians of the 1960s era are given credit for giving recognition to Samba music and bringing it to the access of common man. In 1970s the music became so popular that people used to hear it on radio. Another form of Brazilian music in 1980s got more popular and brought decline to its popularity.

The music soon revived when new music instruments got introduced. Some of the instruments that got Samba back in the music industry are banjo and tan-tan. Later musicians fused some other forms of music, rap and reggae with Samba and gave it a new emergence.

Despite its acceptance and popularity worldwide, Samba has not got the recognition and acceptance from many people in Brazil and is looked upon as something unworthy. The reason these people don't approve of this music is the belief that it has come from people of lower class of the society.




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