Samba history, uk classes.
The Samba (or Mesemba) which means 'to Pray' is an Afro-Brazilian dance from Bahia, Brazil. It is said to have been derived from a dance called the Lundu, (adding a ballroom hold), The West African-Slaves, Portuguese Songs and Indian rituals. When different body motions and carnival steps were added to the dance, it would be called the "Zemba Queca", which was described as "a graceful Brazilian dance" way back in 1885 and later became known as the Mesemba and finally mixing with the Maxixe during the 1900's became known as the Samba. There are different versions done today such as: Samba de umbigada (most authentic), Samba no P� (main carnival type), Samba de Gafieira which is a type of 'Brazillian Tango' or Maxixe done to Samba music,
The Pagode (partner) and Samba Rock (uses modern music). In 1976 during his tour of Brazil, Bill Haley met a rock group called Lee Jackson. This group mixed rock and roll with samba music, creating "rock samba." [Format: 12" LP, Label: Copacabana, Catalog #: COLP12037 (Promo)]. Carioca Samba, Hollywoods version. Baion or a Batucado. = (AKA). The Samba was nicknamed 'The South American Waltz' and the Bossa Nova is a variant of the Samba. - The Maxixe (bresilien tango) was the first Brazilian folk dance to hit the states in the 1910s. Then came the Samba and by 1924 found Europe. The Carioca Samba (Ballroom version) named after a small river in Rio de Janeiro became popular in the United States in 1933, although it was a Hollywood creation, based on another dance in Rio it was choreographed by Fred Astaire for the movie "Flying Down to Rio". - The ballroom Samba was introduced to the States about 1917 and most early Samba's were written as Two-Steps. It has been reported that Virginia Goletz, (Pasadena, CA), brought the "authentic Brazilian Samba" from Rio to the U.S. However, she probably more of "reintroduced it" to a few Californians.
The samba is the main dance done at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil since 1935 (Carnival is held Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) , however, its roots go way back with the Saturnalias and Baccanals (see Bacchus) of ancient times. Today during Carnival it is no longer danced as a couple dance in Brazil. The dance usually consists of a "Long Quick-Short Quick-Slow" rhythm ("one_and-ah-two") done in 2/4, 4/4, 6/8 time with 2/4 being the main signature, done around 100+ bpms and was said to be the bridge between the dignified forms of ballroom dances and Jitterbug (Chujoy - 1940s).
The Batuque: during the Afro-Brazilian jam sessions the Batuque dancers form a circle around one performer. This solo dancer chooses his successor for the exhibition spot while shouting the word "sama." This dance is said to be connected to the Samba. eputation as a "second" makes a duo, provisioned with a pair of spoons which he strikes to accompany the melody.