History of Brazilian Samba Dance

History of  Brazilian Samba Dance
Focus: Samba de Roda

Samba is an Afro-Brazilian dance from Brasil. Samba originated in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in the 19th and 20th Centuries.   The first known form of Samba is called Samba de Roda (Samba in a circle).

Samba de Roda was done informally as a way to socialize after a candomble ceremony, (Candomble is a form Afro Brazilian religion) or after a Roda de Capoeira (Capoeira circle). It was a dance that allowed the Afro-Brazilian people who were enslaved to release and transform their energy and to set their spirit free. It was also often a dance of courtship. As it is a singular dance that people can dance on their own or together as a conversation of movement.


Today Samba de Roda is still danced as an informal social dance of celebration and community often taking place in Carnaval, holiday celebrations, and after a Roda de Capoeira (Capoeira Circle).

Samba de Roda @ Brasil Brasil Cultural Center in Los Angeles