SAMBA

Samba

Samba

Introduction

Brazil's national rhythm of music shaped the way the native people learned to move their bodies. Brazil would become known as “the Kingdom of Samba.” Samba is very African in origin. During the slave era the Africans characterized samba as a religious ceremony because of the rhythm and choreography. Samba requires a very specific rhythm which follows the beat of Brazilian musical instruments. The foot work is taken in rapid steps with swaying and pelvic thrusts of the body. (Wagley 2003)

The Samba dance is very different from other formal dance forms. Samba is a unique and specialized dance form using groups of four to six step movements incorporating side-to-side, forward-and-backward, and circular motions. Men and women dance Samba differently and together, yet with minimal touching.

Discussion

Samba is a huge part of carnival. There are many different variations that are unique to different regions. One version is known as carioca samba. (McGowan, Pessanha 2006) This ballroom samba and is derived from the rural “rocking samba” this form has been known for many years.

Another well known Brazilian “dance” is Capoeira. Though it is a dance it can also be described as martial arts. The culture origin for these breathtaking acrobatics dates back to the slave trade between Africa and Brazil. Capoeira consists of kicks, turns, and defense moves. Movements were based on a courtship dance called “The Zebra Dance”. (McGowan, Pessanha 2004) In this ritual the community would form a circle and two participants, usually men, would engage in mock fights. The reward would be the right to marry. Capoeira was used as a form of resistance against the slave masters but was camouflaged as a game. The slave owners caught on and outlawed Capoeira in Brazil. Even after the abolition of slavery, Capoeira was looked down upon by many as a game of the streets.

The dance for the women can be characterized by high energy symmetrical foot movements accompanied by elegant hip, shoulder, and arm gyrations creating a dance that includes the entire body. Men also perform the same characteristic foot movements, but with limited hip and shoulder gyrations. (Teissl 2003) Men dance around the women, gracefully incorporating emphatic hops, flamboyant jumps, and graceful spins.

As for the Caribbean, Merengue is the Dominican national dance. Samba and Merengue have a lot in common with history. The dance originated from the slaves spying on the ballroom dances the master would have in the great houses. While the slaves cut down sugar to the beat of a drum they would mimic the masters dancing to keep their spirits high. The original meringue was danced individually with a group of people in a circle. Today much of the movement comes from emphasis on the hips followed by either fast or slow sways to the rhythm (Fryer 2000).

The self-expression and exploration of dance and music go hand in hand with carnival. Carnival is a celebration that occurs all around the world. The Caribbean and Brazil illustrate this traditional celebration ...