The History of Samba: The Rhythm That Makes Brazil Dance
- guiarodrigoindio
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Talking about Brazil without mentioning samba is almost impossible. This rhythm is more than music; it is identity, culture, and movement. Samba is the sound that was born from the heart of the people, from the terreiros, the music circles, and the popular celebrations that seemed never to end.
It all began at the beginning of the 20th century, when Rio de Janeiro was undergoing a profound cultural transformation. Many newly freed Afro-Brazilians migrated from Bahia to Rio, bringing with them traditions, drums, and songs. It was in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, especially in the homes of the Bahian tias, that samba began to take shape.
Among these legendary figures was Tia Ciata, a woman who left a mark on history. Her home was a lively meeting point where musicians, poets, and bohemians gathered to eat, dance, and play music. There, samba began to transform, blending African rhythms, Candomblé drums, maxixe, and choro. The parties were so intense that the music spilled into the streets, attracting people from all corners of the city. From this effervescence came the first recorded samba in history, in 1917: “Pelo Telefone,” by Donga and Mauro de Almeida. The song is said to have originated in one of these rodas at Tia Ciata’s house and became a national hit, paving the way for samba to establish itself as a symbol of Brazilian music.
Over time, samba grew and developed new styles. The golden years of Rádio Nacional arrived in the 1930s and 1940s, and names like Noel Rosa, Cartola, Ary Barroso, and Carmen Miranda brought samba to the world. Cartola, with his poetic sensibility, showed that samba could also be pure poetry and emotion.
In the hills and communities of Rio, the rhythm became a tradition. Samba schools, such as Mangueira, Portela, and Salgueiro, were born, uniting music, art, and popular culture. The samba-enredo began to tell stories, and Rio’s Carnival transformed into the greatest show on Earth, with grand parades and colors that captivate the world.
Over the decades, samba has reinvented itself. Variations such as samba de raiz, samba-canção, samba-rock, and pagode emerged, bringing the rhythm to bars and radio stations across the country. Today, samba remains alive in the rodas of Lapa, on the steps of Pedra do Sal, in the samba school courts, and in the hearts of those who feel the beat of the surdo and the swing of the pandeiro. It is a rhythm that unites generations, tells the story of a people, and transforms any sadness into poetry.
Where can you find the best street samba?
As the historical cradle of Carioca samba, Pedra do Sal is the most symbolic spot when it comes to street samba. Located in the port area, it brings together musicians, locals, and tourists in rodas that take place mainly on Mondays and Fridays. The atmosphere is relaxed, with live music, cold drinks, and a lively, festive vibe.
In the heart of Rio’s historic downtown, Samba da Ouvidor fills Rua do Ouvidor with vibrant and spontaneous rodas. It is one of the city’s most traditional street sambas, known for attracting renowned musicians and an audience that comes to sing, dance, and celebrate the rhythm. The event is free and takes place right on the street, giving the celebration a bohemian and democratic atmosphere.
Held under the Benfica viaduct, this street samba is one of the most beloved in Rio’s North Zone. The roda takes place on Saturdays and has a welcoming atmosphere, with families, friends, and sambistas from various regions. The repertoire mixes classics by Cartola, Candeia, and Paulinho da Viola with new compositions.
Although it takes place inside Clube Renascença, Samba do Trabalhador carries the spirit of street samba. Created by Moacyr Luz, it happens on Monday afternoons and has already become a Carioca institution. The audience is diverse, and the energy feels like a large open roda, full of improvisation and authenticity.
More than just an event, the Trem do Samba is a celebration of traditional samba. It takes place annually in December and begins at Central do Brasil, where sambistas board trains filled with music heading to the Oswaldo Cruz neighborhood. There, the streets are transformed into a huge open-air stage, with various rodas and performances throughout the day.
Samba is more than music. It is resistance, joy, and celebration. It reflects a Brazil that sings, dances, and never loses its rhythm.
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