SAMBA 

Speaking of Brazil it’s very hard not to mention its musical and dance symbol-SAMBA. Since samba first appeared on brazilian soil around 1917 in Rio de Janeiro, it’s alive in mouth and legs of every Brazilian. Samba and football are the two features without which Brazil just wouldn’t exist and couldn’t be understood.
Despite the fact that many others could be heard around the corners of Brazilian cities, the first oficial samba song was Pelo telefone by Dunga (Ernesto dos Santos) e Mauro Almeida. This track gave rise to the whole genere and cultural phenomenon called samba. From that moment on, samba is connected with Brazilian reality just like Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado, capoeira or football are.

History
Samba takes it’s roots from afro-baiano enviroment (Bahia-state of Brazil of african culture predominance). At the beginning samba was played or even struck with cutlery or hands on plates or boxes, on the blocks and in house gardens.
As the time passed, samba was played in small bars and restaurants which exist even nowdays. Finally, people begun to play samba on the streets of every city just for fun. That’s how  the famous from east to west, north to south  carnaval was born and it fascinates us till now.

El carnaval
If u speak of SAMBA u think CARNAVAL and if u speak of carnaval u think RIO DE JANEIRO and only of its kind street – stadium, SAMBODROM, where we can gaze with amzement at annual competitions between schools of samba.

Almost every street and village in Brazil has its own carnaval of samba with many diversities of rythym, traditions, dances and melodies, but the one from Rio is the heart of what samba culture really is – the world’s eigth miracle!!!

The schools of samba work during the whole year, conscientiously preparing for next carnaval. Every school chooses its subject around which revolves the music composed, lyrics, dance routine, decoration, costumes and incredible vehicles. Both, musically and dancing, all aspects of the show are judged in the competition. That’s why a lot of fans are taking part in rehearsals along with the dancers. It’s said that everybody who loves samba, has his favourite school and works on its reputation to win the carnaval.

While listening to these hot rhythms, played on such instruments like pandeiro, chucalho, reco - reco, cuica, surdo it’s hard not to move ur feet. The beauty and magic of samba makes us forget about daily routine and all problems – we are just dancing and celebrating the simple joy of just being a part of samba.

Styles
There are many different styles of samba. The one played during the carnaval on the streets is called samba enredo. Others are: samba choro, cançao, de breque, de gafeira and pagode (the most popular one). Each differs from the other in rhythm, dance routine, history, roots and in feelings expressed.

To play samba you need many original and fancy instruments that form bateria such like: surdo, agogó, pandeiro, reco-reco, repinique and many more.

The typical samba is hard to learn and very exhausting, thats why more popular trend among Brazilians is called Axe, very energetic and eyecatching style. Another thing worth knowing is another origin which has risen form samba - bossa nova. It’s a fusion between American cultures-northern and southern. Inspired by jazz and impresionism appeared in brazil after the Second World War. The most famous bossa nova song is Garota de Ipanema by Tom Jobim and vinicius de Morais.

About the author:

Brazilian who lives in Poland, Adrianna Goulart – Kosmacka together with Andre Mafra have founded a dance formation – AXE BAHIA, which now consists of many dancers performing during many events across Poland in original carnaval costumes from Rio de Janeiro.