Historia y tipos de samba en Brasil

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Samba is a Brazilian dance and music genre that originated among the Afro-Brazilian communities in Bahia. However, its true development occurred in Rio de Janeiro during the 19th century. Samba in Brazil is one of the main elements of Brazilian culture. It is part of the daily life of its people and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

History of Samba in Brazil

Samba has its origins with the African slaves in Brazil. They started to mix their beats with European rhythms, like polka and waltz. The slaves used to play their instruments, sing, and dance in a circle, creating Samba de Roda. However, by that time, these kinds of beats were much more intimately tied with religious celebrations and rituals than entertainment itself.

Historians say Samba originated in Bahia, but strengthened in Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century when Rio became the capital of the Portuguese Empire. However, just like Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian religions, and any other type of African expression, Samba was not seen with good eyes. Because of that, musicians and Samba lovers started to hide in people’s homes to celebrate their music. That was when the music genre started to develop around the slums of the city center, especially in the Candomblé temples.

Important names of Samba in Brazil like Pixinguinha, Heitor dos Prazeres, and Donga got involved with these events back then. Famous journalists and authors also started to attend the parties as well, such as Francisco Guimarães, Manuel Bandeira, and Mário de Andrade.

By the end of the 19th century, samba started to grow among the slums of Rio and the general population, establishing itself as a musical genre.

From the 1930s onwards, samba found space with the phonographic industry and radio. By then, people were also relating Samba with Carnival and ballroom parties. That is when Samba became one of the main elements of Brazilian culture.

Types of Samba in Brazil

Samba-Canção

With a slower pace and romantic lyrics, it often sings about loneliness, love, and relationships.

Samba de Breque

This style uses sudden stops in the song to which the singer adds personal comments, usually with a critical or humorous tone.

Samba de Gafieira

A ballroom dance type of Samba. It is influenced by maxixe music, in which dancers explore rhythm and sensuality.

Samba de Partido Alto

This subgenre sings about the reality of the slums and unprivileged people of Brazil.

Samba de Roda

It is one of the most traditional types of samba in Brazil. The National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) considers Samba de Roda an Intangible Heritage of Brazilian Culture.

Singing, clapping, and playing musical instruments around a circle strongly characterizes Samba de Roda. Moreover, lots of dancing also occur around the musicians.

Samba-Enredo

Samba-enredo has its origins during the ’50s and it is strongly linked to Carnival. Samba schools use this subgenre to tell the story of the theme chosen as the plot of their parade.

Samba Exaltação

Patriotism is the main theme of this subgenre. Usually accompanied by an orchestra, their lyrics exalt the beauties of Brazil.

Sambalanço

A very lively and dancing type of samba originated in the ’50s, influenced by jazz and Caribbean rhythms.

Pagode

Born in Rio de Janeiro in the ’70s, Pagode uses repetitive rhythm, percussion instruments, and electronic beats. It quickly spread throughout Brazil, thanks to lively and romantic lyrics.

Instruments Used in Samba

cavaquinho — a small four-stringed guitar
cuíca — a friction drum
pandeiro — a hand frame drum
reco-reco — a scraper used as a percussion instrument
surdo — a bass drum
tamborim — the tambourine
tan-tan — a hand drum
violão — the acoustic guitar

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Samba é um gênero de dança e música brasileira que teve origem nas comunidades afro-brasileiras da Bahia. No entanto, ele cresceu e se desenvolveu no Rio de Janeiro durante o século XIX. O samba no Brasil é um dos principais elementos da cultura brasileira. Faz parte do dia-a-dia de seu povo e é reconhecida pela UNESCO como Patrimônio Cultural Imaterial da Humanidade.

História do Samba no Brasil

O samba tem suas origens com os escravos africanos no Brasil. Eles começaram a misturar suas batidas com ritmos europeus, como a polca e a valsa. Os escravos tocavam seus instrumentos, cantavam e dançavam em círculo, criando, assim, o Samba de Roda. No entanto, naquela época, esses tipos de batidas estavam muito mais intimamente ligados a celebrações e rituais religiosos do que o entretenimento em si.

Historiadores dizem que o samba teve origem na Bahia, mas se fortaleceu no Rio de Janeiro no século XIX, depois que a cidade se tornou a capital do Império português. Porém, assim como a capoeira, as religiões afro-brasileiras e qualquer outro tipo de expressão africana, o samba não era visto com bons olhos. Por conta disso, músicos e amantes do samba passaram a se esconder em casas das comunidades para festejar sua música. Foi aí que o gênero musical começou a se desenvolver no entorno do Centro do Rio, principalmente nos terreiros de Candomblé.

Nomes importantes do samba no Brasil como Pixinguinha, Heitor dos Prazeres e Donga se envolveram nesses eventos naquela época. Jornalistas e escritores famosos também passaram a frequentar essas festas, como Francisco Guimarães, Manuel Bandeira e Mário de Andrade.

No final do século XIX, o samba começou a crescer entre as favelas do Rio e a população em geral, consolidando-se como gênero musical.

A partir da década de 1930, o samba encontra espaço junto à indústria fonográfica e ao rádio. Naquela época, as pessoas também começaram a relacionar o samba com o carnaval e as festas de salão. Foi então que o samba se tornou um dos principais elementos da cultura brasileira.