Samba

Samba is a happy music and dance from Brazil. It has a fast, bouncy beat that makes people want to move. Samba started in the early 1900s in Rio de Janeiro. It is now the most famous music of Brazil.

History of Samba

Samba came from the music of Africans who were brought to Brazil long ago. They mixed their rhythms with Brazilian music to create samba. The first samba song was recorded in 1917. Soon, samba schools were formed where people could learn the music and dance. These schools are still popular today.

Carnival and Samba

Samba is the star of Brazil's big party called Carnival. Every year, samba schools put on huge parades in Rio de Janeiro. Dancers wear giant, colorful costumes with feathers and sparkles. Drummers play fast samba beats that can be heard from far away. Millions of people watch the parades from around the world.

Fun Facts

• A samba school parade can have 3,000 dancers and drummers.
• The samba drum called the surdo makes a deep booming sound.
• Rio de Janeiro has a special stadium just for samba parades.

Did You Know?

Samba dancers practice all year long to get ready for Carnival, which happens only once a year in February.