Samba
Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance of Brazilian origin in 2/4 time danced under
the Samba music. However, there are three steps to every bar, making the Samba feel
like a 3/4 timed dance. Its origins include the Maxixe.
The Samba music rhythm has been danced in Brazil since its inception in the late
19th century. There is actually a set of dances, rather than a single dance, that
define the Samba dancing scene in Brazil; thus, no one dance can be claimed with
certainty as the "original" Samba style. Another major stream of the Samba
dance besides the Brazilian Samba dancing styles is Ballroom Samba which differs
significantly.
Ballroom Samba
The ballroom Samba is danced to music in 2/4 or 4/4 time. The basic movements are
counted either 1-2 or 1-a-2, and are danced with a slight downward bouncing or dropping
action. This action is created through the bending and straightening of the knees,
with bending occurring on the beats of 1 and 2, and the straightening occurring
on the "a".
As a ballroom dance, the samba is a partner dance. Ballroom samba, like other ballroom
dances, is very disconnected from the origins and evolution of the music and dance
that gives it its name. It is a form created for its suitability as a partner dance.
The dance movements, which do not change depending on the style of samba music being
played, borrows some movements from Afro-Brazilian traditional dances such those
used in candomblé rituals and the chamadas of capoeira angola.
