Samba originated in Africa and developed in Brazil in the 19th century. It is considered the dance of celebration, especially during Rio's Carnival. There are many variations of Samba dances and music styles. Samba is danced to fast-paced music around 100 beats per minute, encouraging spontaneous street dancing during Carnival celebrations. It has a distinctive footwork pattern of quick, quick, slow steps and features dramatic climaxes where dancers throw their heads back and extend their arms out.

2.  Samba, an old Brazilian style of dance with many
variations, is African in origin. It has been
performed as a street dance at carnival, the pre-
Lenten celebration, for almost 100 years. Many
versions of the Samba (from Baion to Marcha) are
danced at the local carnival in Rio. The ballroom
Samba or Carioca Samba is derived from the rural
"Rocking Samba" and has been known for many
years.

3.  (The Carioca is a small river that runs
through Rio de Janiero - hence the name
Carioca refers to the people of Rio.)
Today Samba is still very popular in Rio.
During carnival time there are "schools of
Samba" involving thousands of elaborately-
costumed dancers presenting a national
theme based on music typical of Brazil and
Rio in particular.

4.  Developed in Brazil during the 19th century,
the Samba is considered the dance of
celebration and joy at Carnival celebrations in
Rio. Lively and rhythmical, there are many
types of Samba dances, just like there are
many types of Samba music. Ballroom partner
Samba, one of the popular Latin dances in
ballroom competitions, is made up of many
different South American dances mixed into
one. In Brazil, a Samba dancer is known as a
Sambista.

5.  Samba is danced to music with a tempo of
about 100 beats per minute. The fast and
energetic rhythm of Samba music
encourages spontaneous dancing, such as
in the streets during a Carnival celebration.
 The time signature of Samba is 2/4 (2 beats
to a bar of music), but in Round Dancing it
is typically written as 4/4 (4 beats to a bar of
music) in cue sheets. Tempo ranges from
48-56 bars per minute, competitive
ballroom samba is generally 50 bars per
minute; Samba in its current form has
figures with very different rhythms due to
the diverse origins of the dance.

6.  Distinctive Samba Steps
 The basic footwork of the Samba includes fast,
three-step weight changes with a slight knee
lift, led with alternating feet. The basic
rhythm is "quick, quick, slow, and." Distinctive
Samba steps include the
 Voltas
 Bota Fogos
 Kick Change
 Samba Side Steps
 Samba Strut

7.  The Samba also has a distinctive,
dramatic climax...it concludes with
dancers throwing back their heads and
extending their arms out to the sides.